ST. DAVIDS, Pa.- Eastern University Men's Basketball stayed in the game throughout, but cold shooting ultimately led to a 51-44 home loss to the College of New Jersey. Eastern (1-6) was within a point at 43-42 with three minutes to play, but the visiting Lions (2-4) scored eight straight points to grab control of the game.

The Eagles scuffled out of the gate, but used strong defense and solid rebounding to lead 13-7 with 7:30 to go in the opening half. TCNJ then went on a  16-5 run over the next seven minutes to lead by five before Kevin Antol scored on a nice dish from Malcolm Garrison to close the score to 23-20 at intermission.

TCNJ shot 30 percent in the first half, and the Eagles were stuck at 28 percent. Eastern was 0-for-7 from behind the arc. Anthony Parenti led all scorers with eight points at the break.

Alex Fox scored the first six points of the second half to give the Lions a 29-20 advantage and force an Eastern timeout. Fox scored all 11 of his points after the intermission.

The Lions built the lead to ten before the Eagles put together their best stretch of the game. After Parenti finished in transition on a feed from Vince Soto, Soto scored seven straight points on four free throws and a 3-pointer to close the gap to one at 37-36.

The Eagles had four possessions with a chance to take the lead, but two turnovers and a pair of misses kept the Lions in control of the game. After TCNJ's Zach Friedrich split a pair at the foul line, Ben Conner hit a an elbow jumper to tie the game at 38-38 with eight minutes to play.

Fox scored, and Jayson Johnson connected on a floater to give the Lions a four point edge. Parenti responded with an inside jumper to keep it a one-possession game which is where it remained until the three minute mark.

Parenti finished with 15 points and a team-high seven rebounds. Jayson Johnson led TCNJ with 16.Eastern made only 2-of-19 shots from three-point range and only 30 percent from the floor for the night.

Eastern is back in action at Juniata College on Friday night. 

Box Score