RADNOR, Pa. - Amanda Riiff scored a season-high 16 points in Eastern's, 79-70, loss to MAC Commonwealth opponent Widener in the final game of the Cabrini Holiday Classic. The Eagles pulled within one possession eight different times throughout the game and seven times in the second half alone but could not overcome the one to three-point deficits.

"Those ladies played four solid quarters as compared to yesterday," said Head Coach Eric Houston. "They completed a four-quarter game, and there were a lot of positives to draw on from today. A lot of ladies stepped up for us today in Lavin's absence."    

Eastern (7-4) got off to a quick start in the first quarter jumping out to a 10-6 lead but failed to hold it as Widener (9-2) came storming back. The Pride went on a 19-6 scoring run that finally was slowed down after a Riiff 3-pointer at the 7:58 mark of the second quarter making the score 25-19.

Riiff surpassed her previous season high, 11 points against Rowan, in the first half scoring 12 points while going 4-of-12 from the field shooting (.333) and 2-of-6 from 3-point range shooting (.333). 

"She [Riiff] comes into the gym and puts the extra time in," continued Houston. "She's one of those kids that's our shooter, so she knows what she has to do as far as helping our team in that area. I think her confidence is starting to show and as we approach conference play we are going to need her." 

Regie Robinson was another standout player on the afternoon for the Eagles. Eastern trailed 59-53 at the end of the third quarter, but Robinson helped Eastern spark a valiant comeback that fell just short. Robinson netted back-to-back layups to cut the Widener lead to just four at 61-57. Moments later Robinson pulled the Eagles within one at 63-62 with 6:27 seconds left to play. Overall for the quarter, Robinson scored nine points, but she and the Eagles could not catch the Pride in the end.

"Regie responded well in the second half," said Houston. "She did an outstanding job when she was in there especially in the fourth quarter." 

Robinson finished the game with a team-high 18 points, 16 of those in the second half alone. Emily McPeak rounded out the double-digit scoring for Eastern with 10 points, which is also a season-high for her. 

Brianna Wylie led all Widener scorers with 26 points and 11 rebounds. Emily Hardy scored 15 points and grabbed 11 rebounds while Allison Gallagher and Julia Venturelli each netted 13 points.

 "Sometimes you have to take your lumps to grow," concluded Houston. "I think with the lumps we are taking now I am fine with it because I see what they are capable of doing."

Eastern returns to action on Sunday at the Gettysburg Invitational when they take on Mount Aloysius at 4 pm.