RADNOR, Pa.—Eastern University Women's Basketball crossed the street to open the 2014-15 season on Monday evening and emerged victorious in the annual Battle of Eagle Road. The Eastern Eagles, led by 24 points from freshman guard Taylor Price, topped the Cabrini Cavaliers 72-61.
The last two times Eastern and Cabrini had dropped the gloves over Eagle Road bragging rights, Cabrini battered Eastern by at least 20 points. Eagles' head coach Nate Davis that Monday's win required the whole team to capitalize on opportunities, something that didn't happen in the previously mentioned contests. “It was a great team win,” Davis said. “I'm just really proud of our team for keeping composure. We were down early and we didn't give up. Cabrini was an NCAA Tournament team last year, so for us to come out of here on the road in a tough environment and get a win—I couldn't ask for more.”
The Eagles received an immediate impact from Price, a quick wing player from Smyrna, Del. Price slashed to the paint on the opening possession, drew a foul and hit both free throws, her first official collegiate shots. Price attacked the basket with regularity, finishing 5-for-10 from the floor and 13-for-15 from the free throw line. Coach Davis said that he was glad that Price adds another dimension to the Eagles' offense. “She did a great job with what we asked her to do,” he said. "We're taking it one game at a time. She's still a freshman, and it doesn't mean that every game is going to be like this. We've got to continue to let her come along gradually. I'm thankful that she had a great game tonight. She's a great weapon for us, but we have a whole team of great weapons. Tonight we had to utilize her. There will be other nights where other people will have to step up."
Eagles' senior guard Gina DiDomenico was also successful from the charity stripe, sinking 9-of-11 free throws. DiDomenico went 3-for-6 from behind the three-point line and finished with 20 points, two shy of her career high.
Meghan Nowak, Eastern senior forward, picked up two early fouls and had her playing time limited to just five minutes in the first half and 22 minutes total. Nowak still produced 10 points and 10 rebounds. With Nowak out, the Eagles relied on Emily Lavin, Tori Grossi and Kaleigh Boreman to defend the interior. Lavin swatted away four shot attempts and Grossi denied two more. The Eagles had to contend with Cabrini's star forward Amber Keys. Keys powered in a game-high 25 points and gathered 16 rebounds. “She's a great player; she's really physical,” Davis said. “She can finish around the basket and she goes and gets rebounds. She's such a tough matchup because of that.”
Eastern entered halftime trailing by four after a slow start encumbered by a 29.2 field goal percentage and 14 turnovers. The Eagles controlled the ball better in the second half, cutting their turnover figure to nine and forcing 12 Cabrini turnovers. Eastern's shot selection improved and they shot 52.2 percent in the second half.
The Cavs led by seven points with 17:44 to play in the game, but Eastern turned the tables with an 18-3 run over the next six minutes. The Eagles continued to apply their press over this stretch, and Nate Davis said that by staying aggressive they were able to take advantage of opportunities to steal the ball. Price gave the Eagles the lead for good with 14:16 to play, nailing a 3-pointer in transition to put Eastern ahead 40-39.
After Eastern's 18-3 run put them in the lead 48-40, Cabrini clawed back to within two thanks to a brief run capped off by a 3-pointer by Dana Peterson.
DiDomenico gave the Eagles some breathing room with a 3-pointer on the following possession to make it a 51-46 game.
The Eagles controlled the ball the rest of the way, only turning it over three more times, and hit 16-of-21 free throws down the stretch.
Eastern (1-0) plays four road games this week, continuing on Wednesday at Rosemont College and then on Friday and Saturday in New York, N.Y. for a tournament at Hunter College.
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