Dallas, Pa.--Throughout this season, Eastern University Women's Basketball has struggled to hold early leads. On this day, however, the Eagles struggled out of the gate and were never able to find an offensive rhythm in a 60-45 loss at Misericordia University.

The host Cougars (4-3, 2-0 Freedom) jumped to an 8-1 lead out of the gate and built the advantage to 25-10with 12 minutes gone. The Eagles scored four straight points to close out the half down eleven. Aly Goodman and Mary Poole each had six at the half, but Misericordia's Tyann McDaniel, who finished with a game-high 22 points, scored 13 points before the intermission with three three-pointers.

Goodman scored the first ten Eastern points of the second half, but the Eagles were unable bring the game to within eight points as the McDaniel continued to connect from the perimeter and Christine Marks scored inside and at the line. The two combined for forty points.

As the clock slid under eight minutes, the Eagles looked to have a defensive stop on a shot clock violation down ten. After an extended conversation from the officials resulted in a second being put back on the clock and the Cougars being given possession underneath the basket. Marks hit a six foot runner on the inbounds play and the game went south from there for the visitors. The Cougars finished the 9-0 run with two more inside baskets from Marks and a McDaniel three to grab a 19 point lead.

Goodman was the only Eastern player to reach double figures with 17 as the Eagles (4-3, 0-2 Freedom) connected on just 28% from the floor and only 40% from the foul line. 

Eastern is off for finals week. The team returns to action at Alvernia University on Dec. 15th.