RADNOR, Pa.- Ten days ago, the Eastern University Men's Basketball held a conference rival Manhattanville to 41 points in a game. This evening, the Eagles (11-7) surrendered more than that in each half as they fell 89-71 at Cabrini College in the Battle of Eagle Road.

The host Cavaliers were hot from the perimeter early and they built an 11 point lead behind three three pointers from Dom Ferrello. Nine minutes in, Cabrini was on pace to score 130 points. The Eagles buckled down defensively and began to close the gap with a consistent effort to get the ball inside. Eastern shot 23 free throws before intermission and with the improved defensive effort cut the deficit to 38-36 on a pair of Dan Miller free throws with 55 seconds on the clock.

Things looked even better when Martin Soaries ripped a ball free with 35 seconds to play, but two straight turnovers gave the Cavaliers opportunities, and the home side did not miss them and too a 42-36 lead into the locker room. 

For the many Eastern fans who made the trip across the street for the game, the second half began like a bad dream. The Cavaliers scored on 13 of 15 possessions after the intermission to blow the game open. With two big conference games on the horizon for the week, the Eastern staff went to their bench early and asked their young players to bring energy and effort to the game. Ben DeWall Malefyt and Corey Gordon had six points apiece in the closing minutes.

The game statistics evened out toward the end, but the Cavaliers offensive execution combined with a lackluster defensive performance from the Eagles was the story of the game. 

"I am embarrassed with the effort we gave tonight," Head Coach Matt Nadelhoffer said after the game, "We talk all the time about controlling the things we can control. Effort, attitude, and character. We are going to have days when we don't shoot well or make mistakes, but we never want to lack effort, and it really bothers me that we did tonight."

"We are challenging the guys to show us who we really are," Nadelhoffer continued, "Wednesday's game at King's is enormous, and we will have to play much better defense."

Dan Miller scored 16 first-half points to lead all Eastern scorers. Farello finished with a game-high 20 for the hosts.