ROSEMONT, Pa.- Eastern University Men's Basketball came up on the short end of a 72-68 game at Rosemont College in the season opener for both teams. Eastern shot 50 percent from the floor in the second half, but several late turnovers undid much of the positive offensive momentum of the game for the young Eagles.

With 92.9 percent of their offense from last year graduated, things were bound to look a little rugged early. It took the Eagles nearly six minutes to get to six. Eastern missed several shots from in close and committed five turnovers in the first five minutes. 

Despite the early offensive miscues, the Eastern defense battled in close and contested perimeter shots to keep the host Ravens from pulling away. Regardless, Rosemont led 19-9 with just over eight minutes to play in the half.

Kyle Malloy, one of two seniors on the Eastern roster, converted two straight hoops inside to spark a 7-0 Eastern run. Malloy finished with a career best 18 points on 6-of-8 from the floor and 6-of-6 from the line. Malloy scored the last two Eastern hoops of the first half to send the Eagles to the break down 30-26.

After three straight turnovers to start the second half, the Eagles settled in and showed what they could become. Eastern scored the first seven points of the half as Ben Connor and Anthony Bertolino scored from in close. Bertolino finished with 13 points. 

After Eastern scored the first hoop of the second half, neither team had more than a four point edge until the final seconds of the game.

Anthony Parenti put the Eagles up 58-54 with a 3-pointer from the top of the key, and Tyler Stowers forced a turnover with five and half minutes to play, but Rosemont's Kevin Fenstermaker blocked Xavier Brown's reverse layup and the Ravens converted at the other end. 

Parenti, who finished with 12 points, hit a tough elbow jumper to tie the game at 60, and Malloy gave the Eagles their final lead of the game at 62-60 before Rosemont's Mitch Carsillo buried a 3-pointer to give the hosts the lead for good. Eastern's five turnovers in the final five minutes made a late surge unlikely.

Eastern connected on just 2-of-10 from behind the arc, while the Ravens buried 6-of-14. When they were able to get the ball inside, the Eagles ahd good scoring chances and they converted 14-of-18 foul shots.

The Eagles (0-1) will open the home portion of their schedule this Saturday with a home game against Lancaster Bible.