DOYLESTOWN, Pa.--The game plan was fairly simple. Entering the day on a four-game skid, Eastern University Men's Basketball committed to getting the ball inside and forcing the host Delaware Valley College Aggies to hit contested shots from the perimeter. For the first half, the plan worked as the Eagles shot 52% and led 33-29 at the break.

The plan broke down in the second half as Delaware Valley senior James Jones scored all 24 of his points in the second half to carry his team. The Aggies outscored the Eagles 25-17 over the final eleven minutes to break open the game and earn the 74-66 win.

Things started beautifully for the Eagles. They connected on three straight perimeter jumpers for an 8-0 lead. Martin Soaries and Collin Whipple each hit three pointers to force an early time-out. The early success from the perimeter was deceptive as the Eagles would be unable to find the range from beyond the arc again. 

With the score going back and forth, the game took an ugly turn midway through the first half as a Delaware Valley player was ejected. Though there were only 24 fouls called, officials were forced to separate players on five separate occasions in the game.

Following the ejection, the Eagles split a pair of free throws to grab a three point lead. The Aggies tied the game at 21-21, but Eastern surged to a 27-21 lead on consecutive inside baskets from Alex Nelson,  Soaries, and Mike Donatoni.

The hosts again rallied to tie the game before Dan Miller scored the final four points of the half to send the Eagles to the locker room up 33-29. Alex Nelson led the Eagles with 10 points at half.

While the Eagles held Jones scoreless in the first half, the senior standout was a one-man wrecking crew. He converted 9-13 shots and recorded three assists. The Eagles sought to counter the hot shooting of Jones by going inside and getting to the foul line. While putting the short-handed Aggies in foul trouble. 

The Eagles scored 24 points in the paint, but despite the physical nature of the game, they only earned six free throws. The Aggies made 5-14 three pointers in the second half and converted 10-16 foul shots. Eastern went 0-6 from behind the arc and made 5-6 foul shots.

Whipple led the Eagles (8-5, 2-3 Freedom) with 20 points, and Nelson scored 17 and finished with a team-high 9 rebounds. Jones finished with a game-high 7 assists. Jeremy Beckett finished with 18 points, 16 rebounds, and five blocks for the Aggies.

The Eagles will have a non-league game at 4:00 pm at Richard Stockton College before returning to league play at FDU-Florham on Wednesday night.

Box Score