ST. DAVIDS, Pa.--Eastern University Women's Basketball fought off a furious rally from visiting Dickinson College to earn a 59-55 home win. The Eagles led by 12 points in the second half but needed to rally from a late deficit to earn their sixth win of the season.

The Eagles jumped to a 15-2 lead out of the gate. Shante Jones, who led the Eagles with 20 points on the afternoon, scored eight of her points in the opening run. Lori Wileczek also connected on a three, but the Eagles' defensive intensity at the start was the key to the start of the game.

Head Coach Nate Davis was very pleased with his team's concentration and rebounding early. "We were sharp at the beginning," Davis commented, "we had some breakdowns in ball-handling as the game went on, but we were able to get big plays when we needed them."

Dickinson's Alesha Sisco scored 10 of the Red Devils' first 12 points to help the visitors to get back into the game at 17-12. Sisco finished the afternoon with a game-high 23 points and 14 rebounds. Eastern scored four straight on an inside basket and two Katie Lincoln free throws to regain control of the game.

The Eagles led 30-23 at the intermission. Jones and Sisco each had 12 points to lead their respective squads at intermission. Neither team was able to find the range from the perimeter in the opening 20 minutes, but the Eagles grabbed eight offensive rebounds which they were able to convert into the seven-point edge.

"We expected that they would come out with great intensity," Lincoln said about the start of the second half, "so we knew we would have to match it." Lincoln started one of her best halves with a shot-block and a great pass in transition to Jones for a lay-up.The first year guard scored seven points and grabbed four rebounds after the intermission.

The Red Devils (3-6) refused to give up, and behind the senior leadership of Sisco and Carole Dempsey battled back to claim the lead with 5:34 to play. Twice, the visitors grabbed one point leads, and twice Lincoln answered with big plays. First, she delivered a perfect bounce pass for Jess Ogden in transition. When the Devils grabbed the lead seconds later on two Sisco free throws, Lincoln answered with a three pointer from the corner on a feed from Jones.

The Eagles earned a stop and Lincoln hit a pair of free throws to increase the Eastern lead to 53-49. Bekah Roland, who finished with 11 points and nine rebounds, gave the Eagles a six point lead on the next offensive possession. Roland and Lincoln scored the last 11 Eastern points to secure the win.

"We needed players to step up and hit big shots," Davis said after the game, "and Katie and Bekah both made big plays. This was a really good team win. I was pleased with their intensity and effort."

The Eagles (6-4) return to action on January 6 with a home game against Lancaster Bible College.

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