DOYLESTOWN, Pa.-- A furious second-half rally came up just short as the Eastern University women's basketball team dropped a tough 70-67 decision at Delaware Valley College. The Eagles (9-5, 2-3 Freedom) trailed by eleven midway through the second half and used a 15-1 run over a six minute stretch to grab a three point lead at 54-51 with seven minutes left. The comeback was not enough, however, as the host Aggies made eight of twelve free throws over the final five minutes to escape with the win.
In the first twenty minutes of action, the Eagles took great care of the ball with a season-low three turnovers. They were not able to pull away, as they converted just 35% of their shots and the Aggies made nine of ten foul shots for a 32-32 tie at intermission. Shante Jones scored 14 of her team-high 26 points, including a tough 12 footer at the buzzer, in the first half.
After the two teams traded scores for the first two and a half minutes of the half, Delaware Valley took off on a 13-2 run to grab a 50-39 lead. Brittany Battinieri, who finished with a game-high 27 points, scored six points in the run.
First year guard Katie Lincoln started the Eastern response with a three-pointer off a good screen from Jess Ogden. Despite being shorthanded for the day, the Eagles committed to increasing pressure on the defensive end and pushing the pace going into the offense. Jones was the catalyst for much of the action, but Ogden, Lincoln, and Bekah Roland each scored tough shots in the run. Roland's bucket came in transition to close the run.
The Eagles' lead was short-lived as Jones picked up her fourth while defending in the post, and the Aggies made their way to the free throw line. With Jones off the floor, Roland was able to hit a 17 footer, but the Aggies grabbed a five point edge that the Eagles were never able to overcome.
Jones had eight rebounds, seven steals and six assists to go with her 26 points. Roland recorded a double-double with 17 points and a game high 16 rebounds. Lincoln finished with 11 points and five assists. The Eagles connected on just 4-22 from behind the arc and struggled from the foul line (53%) as well.
Battinieri paced four Aggies in double-figures, and she tied Emily Soper for team-high honors with 10 rebounds.
Eastern, who saw a five-game winning streak snapped with today's loss, will look to get back on the winning track at FDU-Florham on Wednesday night.
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