DOYLESTOWN, Pa. - Eastern Men's Basketball watched a 17 point halftime lead slip away as it lost to Delaware Valley on Saturday afternoon 72-70. The Aggies used a 49 point second half and a clutch 3-point shot in the final seconds to claim the big MAC Freedom victory. 

"This one is certainly going to hurt," said Head Coach Eric McNelley. "We had this game in our possession but couldn't make a stop when it counted and let another one slip away."  

Early on the Eagles (9-10, 3-5 MAC Freedom) looked like they were going to cruise to an easy win taking a 22-9 lead just after the halfway point of the first half. A 3-pointer by Shaquan Turk stretched the Eagle lead to 25-13 with just under seven minutes left to play in the half. 

After Delaware Valley (16-3, 7-1 MAC Freedom) managed to cut the deficit to just nine at 27-18 the Eagles offense came to life and went on a 13-5 run to close out the half. Eastern managed to hit back-to-back-to-back 3-pointers during the scoring run, and Abraham Kurnick capped it off hitting a jumper with 31 seconds to play in the half. The Eagles took a 40-23 lead into the locker room but had no idea what awaited them in the final 20 minutes of play. 

Overall for the first half Eastern went 13-of-28 from the field shooting (.464) and 7-of-15 from 3-point range shooting (.467). Delaware Valley in the meantime went 8-of-29 from the field to shoot (.276) while going 1-of-8 from 3-point range. 

"We were playing well, moving the ball, and hitting shots," continued McNelley. "I thought we played a good opening half of basketball especially after how we finished the other night against DeSales. We were in control of this game."

The Aggies began the second half on a 13-5 run cutting the Eagles deficit all the way down to 45-36 with just over 16 minutes left to play in the game. After a brief 6-0 run by Eastern to extend its lead back double-digits at 51-36 Delaware Valley responded with another scoring run of its own. The Aggies exploded on a 14-2 run that pulled them all the way back into the game at 53-50. 

After the Eagles had stretched their lead back to a multiple possession game again at 58-50, Delaware Valley responded yet again. The Aggies posted another big scoring run, this time, going on a 14-4 run to take their first lead of the game at 61-60. In a matter of 16 minutes and seven seconds, Eastern had gone from a 17 point lead to trailing by one. 

"We can't let that happen," said McNelley. "When you are up on a team and keep building on leads after they come back you have to find a way to make a defensive stand, limit their shot opportunities, and convert on yours, and we just didn't do that when it really counted." 

The teams battled in the last three minutes of play posting two total lead changes and three ties. With 22 seconds left to play in the game, the Eagles trailed 69-65, but Malcolm Garrison drained a 3-pointer to pull Eastern within one, 69-68. Kurnick knocked down one of two free-throws to tie the game up at 69-69 with just 18 seconds left to play.

It looked like the game would go to overtime for a second straight time between these two teams. However, with one second left to play, Barry Brockington hit a 3-pointer to sink Eastern and deliver the Aggies to victory. It was the only 3-pointer Brockington made all game. 

"You have to hand it to him, that was a really clutch shot," continued McNelley. "He is a talented player and he made a big-time shot in a big-time moment to give his team the win." 

Turk led all Eastern scorers with 20 points while Abraham Kurnick was the only other Eagle to post double-digits scoring 13 points. Eastern went 20-of-54 from the field for the game overall but only went 7-of-26 from the field in the second half shooting (.269). 

Chris Moran led all Delaware Valley scorers with 21 points while Zach Sly netted 12 points of his own. Brockington rounded out the double-digit scoring for the Aggies totaling 11 points respectively. 

"We have to continue to grow and get better," concluded McNelley. "There were things we did well in this game, but there were a lot of things we didn't do well, and we have to own that. I can't say enough how tough of a league this is and if you don't bring it every game and take advantage of your opportunities it's hard to win. We will be better for this and be ready to play come Wednesday night."   

Eastern hosts Wilkes University on February 3rd at 8 pm.