PURCHASE, N.Y.--Prior to this year, Kennedy Gymnasium has never been good for Eastern University Men's Basketball. Things did not change tonight, as the visiting Eagles fell behind the host Manhattanville College Valiants early and were never able to recover in a 75-62 loss. Manhattanville enjoyed a 40-26 edge on the glass and held the Eagles to just 31 percent from the floor in the Freedom Conference opener for both sides.

The two sides traded baskets early, and the Eagles (4-2, 0-1 Freedom) held a 20-19 lead with 11 minutes to play in the opening half, but the Valiants ended the half on a 20-4 run to seize control of the contest. Alex Nelson scored 12 of his game-high 26 points before the intermission, but seven Manhattanville players scored multiple field goals in the first twenty minutes to put the hosts up 39-24. Manhattanville shot 61% from the floor over the first 20 minutes of play.

The Eagles saw the deficit run to as much as 22 in the second half. The Eagles continued to struggle from the floor in the second half with just 35% shooting, but they used the foul line to make a couple runs at getting back into the game. Eastern took 27 foul shots after half time, including 21 in the final eight minutes, but the free ones were not enough to pull closer than the final 13 point deficit at any point in the half.

Nelson was the only Eastern player in double figures. Martin Soaries and Mike Donatoni each finished with nine points. Armani Blackmon led four Valiants in double-figures with 18 and he grabbed a game-high 14 rebounds.

"We can't get it back," said first year head coach Nate Stewart, "it is gone. I was pleased that we showed some fight through the final ten minutes, but it took too long to get there. We will have to learn from it and move forward."

The Eagles face another tough test on Saturday when they host defending Freedom Champion Delaware Valley College at 3:00 pm. Anyone bringing a new unwrapped toy to donate to Toys for Tots will be admitted free of charge.