PURCHASE, N.Y.- Kennedy Gymnasium has never been an easy place for Eastern University Men's Basketball to play. This year, the Eagles made the journey to Manhattanville with the added burden of a five game losing streak. The Eagles hung tough through the game, but a cold stretch to start the second half proved to be too much for the Eagles to overcome as the host Valiants held on to earn a 74-61 win. Collin Whipple finished with a career best 26 points in the loss.

Whipple hit 7-9 shots in the first half to lead the Eagles to the break with a 30-28 lead. Alex Nelson was the only other Eastern player with more than a single field goal. Kyle Malloy put back a Whipple miss at the buzzer for the margin at half. The Valiants shot just 42% for the opening half, but they earned extra possessions with 10 offensive rebounds.

As they have for much of the last two weeks, the Eagles endured a cold stretch early in the second half. Today, Manhattanville scored 20 of the first 24 points of the second half to grab a 48-34 lead with nine minutes to play. 

The Eagles rallied to close the gap to 58-53 with 3:43 on the clock, but they were never able to draw closer. Nelson finished with 14 points, and Malloy had 8 points and a game-high 10 rebounds. Trevoy Pointer led five Valiants in double-figures with 15 points. 

The Eagles (11-11, 4-8) conclude their season with a pair of home games next week. On Tuesday, they host FDU-Florham for Military Appreciation Night. The Athletic Department will make a donation to the Wounded Warrior Project, and all veterans and current service men and women will be admitted free. Eastern will conclude the season next Saturday against Delaware Valley College.