ST. DAVIDS, Pa.-- Eastern University Men's Basketball used a balanced attack and relentless rebounding to pull away to a 73-51 win over Penn State-Brandywine in the season opener for both teams. The visiting Lions cut a 12 point deficit to 38-35 early in the second half before the Eagles ran off 13 straight points to regain control of the game. Alex Nelson led four players in double figures with 14 points.

The Eagles carved out a 10 point halftime lead despite missing a slew of easy shots in the early going. Eastern held Brandywine to just four second chance opportunities with a commanding 26-15 edge on the glass.

"We are tougher this year," Head Coach Matt Nadelhoffer said after the game, "we need to do a better job of being disciplined in the offense, but I was very pleased with our toughness on the glass and our willingness to battle for second shots." The Eagles finished the game with 19 offensive rebounds.

Out of the intermission, the Lions extended pressure and forced the Eagles into some quick shots. With the game in transition, the guests hit shots to cut into the Eastern lead. Collin Whipple then sparked the decisive run of the game with a short jumper from the wing. The junior guard would have three assists and a steal over the next four minutes to build the edge to 16.

Eastern bumped the lead gradually upward over the next six minutes and at one point led by 27. Whipple finished with 11 points and 6 assists, and Dan Miller (12 points) and Don Kaiser (11 points, 6 rebounds) made their presence felt off the bench. Kyle Malloy finished with a game-high 11 rebounds.

Nadelhoffer was pleased with the opening day, but is also aware that there will be bigger hurdles to overcome as the season progresses. "They were athletic," he said, "but we are going to have to keep learning and getting better to prepare for the conference. I thought Donny [Kaiser] gave us a nice lift today."

The Eagles return to action Friday night with an 8:00 home game against Philadelphia Biblical University. That game will be the second game of the Nate Ware Invitational. Alfred and New Jersey City University will play in the 6:00 p.m. game.