UNION, N.J. - The Eastern Women's Basketball comeback fell just short as the Eagles fell 67-62 to UT-Dallas in the opening game of the Kean in the first game of the Kean Classic. The Eagles used fast-paced offense and tough defense to erase a 13-point fourth-quarter deficit, but the Comets scored eight of the game's final ten points to remain unbeaten on the year.

The Comets, who advanced to the third round of the NCAA Tournament last year, owned the opening period.  Reggie Robinson made the only Eastern basket of the period, and UT-Dallas led 15-2 at the end of the first frame.

The Comets built their lead to 15 midway through the second period. The Eastern defense kept things close, and the team closed out the half on a 7-3 run to be within 11 at the half. The numbers, however, were not encouraging. Eastern shot only 6-of-29 from the field and attempted only four free throws. UT-Dallas held a comfortable 27-16 lead with 20 minutes to play.

The Eastern offense came alive for 20 points in the third period. Six different Eastern players, led by Emily Lavin with six points, scored in the period. The offensive success did not reduce the Comet lead. The Eagles gave up 22 and were still down by 13 at the end of the third.

The Eagles made up that deficit in the first four and a half minutes of the fourth period. Sparked by Lavin's tremendous effort on the defensive end, the Eagles found points in transition. The junior center blocked six shots in the period and altered several more, and the Eagles were able to run. Robinson, Taylor Price, and Lavin took turns scoring in transition. Amanda Riif then cut the Comet lead to 52-49 on a 3-pointer four minutes into the period.  Seconds later, Price converted a 3-point play to tie the game. Price finished with 17 points and nine rebounds.

After the Comets scored to take the lead, the Eagles broke the press that had caused such problems earlier in the game, and Lavin found Price for another 3-point play. Lavin had six assists to go with her 14 points, 12 rebounds, and nine blocked shots.

Dallas recovered to grab a two-point lead with two minutes to play. Price again answered for the Eagles. The sophomore standout drilled a 3-pointer to put the Eagles up a point with 58 seconds to play. The Comets took the lead on an offensive rebound basket following a missed free throw. After the Eagles missed on a chance to tie, they had to foul to get possessions, and the Comets made their free throws to hold on for the win.

Robinson led all Eagles scoring 20 points. The freshman guard has 55 points through three career games. Lavin set a new single-game high with nine blocks. She has 24 rejections this year and 202 in her career.

Madison Steele led UT-Dallas with 13 points and seven rebounds.

"It was a great comeback," Head Coach Eric Houston said. "I wish we would have played like that the whole game. We did not give up, but we need to play a complete game to beat good teams.

Eastern will take on the College of Staten Island in the consolation game at noon.