ST. DAIVDS, Pa.-Eastern University Women's Basketball sprang to a huge early lead and held off a late charge from the Manhattanville College Valiants to earn a 77-75 home win. Shante Jones scored a game-high 30 points to lead the Eagles to their 10th win of the year. Eastern has now won home games against both Freedom Conference Finalists from last season.
The game told two stories, each half showcasing a different team's strengths.
The Eagles went inside early and jumped to a 12-2 lead. Sam Weaver scored four of her 12 points in the first couple possessions and the Eagles looked crisp on the offensive end throughout the first twenty minutes. The Eagles shot 55% from the field in the first half while the valiants shot 39%. Eastern led 36-15 with six minutes to play, but the Valiants were able to carve into the advantage with a 12-3 run.
"Honestly, I think we caught them off-guard," said Roland. "Looking at our other seasons and the way we used to play, I don't think teams expect us to be good. But we didn't let them do what they wanted and that surprised them."
The surprise lasted the majority of the first half as the hot-shooting Eagles held a 43-29 edge over the defending champion Valiants (10-7, 4-3). Jones had 16 points and four assists to set the pace for the home side in the early going.
The Valiants picked at the 14-point deficit throughout the second half, bringing the score to 70-69 with just under three minutes to play. Taylor Wilson and Simona Gordan each scored 11 points after the intermission for the guests. Wilson hit her first four shots-- including three three-pointers-- after the break. Senior guard Carey Hickey was masterful after the break for the Valiants with nine of her game-high 14 assists.
"When it got close, it was all about our defense, said Roland. "They had great momentum from hitting some shots and we really needed to get some stops." The biggest stops of the game came on three steals in the final two and a half minutes. Jones ripped a ball free and converted at the other end to push the lead to three, and after the Valiants cut the deficit back to one Katie Lincoln picked a ball clean on penetration and split a pair of free throws.
The Eagles earned another stop with a rebound before Jones sealed the result with her fifth steal of the contest with 40 seconds to play and Lincoln converted both free throws.
"I think we just needed some motivation for today," said Jones on the improved result of the weekend, "now we're getting each other. We know what we need to say and to who to get them pumped up. We know how to motivate each other better. I think as we figure that out more and more, our confidence will grow."
Head Coach Nate Davis had a simple reaction to the game: a deep breath.
"You know, this season is a process," he said, "There have been a lot of ups and downs and there will continue to be bumps. Today was frustrating and exciting at the same time. But each game is a learning experience; this one is no exception."
Jones finished with an impressive stat-line that included 10 rebounds and six assists to go with her 30 points and 5 steals. Weaver converted 5-6 attempts from the floor for 12 points. Roland played the full 40 minutes and recorded a solid double-double with 15 points and an important 10 rebounds.
Gordon led four valiants in double-figures with 24. Courtney Turner scored 16 and grabbed 8 rebounds.
Eastern (10-6, 3-4 Freedom) returns to action Monday evening in a non-league game at Elizabethtown College.
Box Score
