ST. DAVIDS, Pa.- Eastern University Women's Basketball used a 20-9 run to close out the first half and stifling defense in the second to top the visiting Wilkes University Colonels 67-41. The win, combined with DeSales' win over FDU, locks up a playoff berth for the Eagles for the first time since they reached the PAC postseason tournament in 2005.

Both teams started the game with hot shooting from the perimeter, and the game appeared to be on its way to high scoring affair when the Colonels' Ellen Stambone connected on her second 3-pointer of the game to tie the game at 16-16 after six and a half minutes. Both teams had made four threes up to that point. 

Katie Lincoln made her second 3-pointer of the day to break the tie, and the Eagles would hold the lead for good from that point. The teams traded baskets until the 10 minute mark when the Eastern size and depth began to take its toll.

Unlike the first game, when three Eastern players combined for all but six points, Coach Davis' young squad spread the wealth in the first half. Kaleigh Boreman had eight points, Lincoln had 10, and Gina DiDomenico and Ellen Dvorak each scored a pair of baskets before the break. With her teammates hitting from the perimeter, Nowak went to work inside and had 14 points on limited touches for a 43-28 edge.

The Eagles did not shoot particularly well to start the second half, but they more than made up for their offensive deficiencies with stout defense. Wilkes went without a field goal for the first 12 minutes and 15 seconds of the half, and the Eagles built their edge to 67-32 on Boreman's third triple of the game with six minutes to play.

The Colonels (6-17, 1-11 Freedom) finished the game on a 9-0 run for the 67-41 final. Megan Kazmerski finished with 10 points and 10 rebounds for Wilkes.

Nowak sat most of the second half, but finished with 16 points and seven rebounds. Lincoln had 15 points and a game-high eight assists, and Boreman made 3-of-5 3-point attempts and a pair of free throws to finish with 11 points. Eastern shot only three free throws on the afternoon.

The Eagles (17-6, 8-4 Freedom) tie a program-high for wins in a season, and assure themselves of a spot in the playoffs. King's is assured the top seed, and DeSales, Misericordia, and Eastern each still have a chance to secure the second seed.

Eastern returns to action at FDU-Florham on Tuesday night.

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