ST. DAVIDS, Pa.– Eastern University Women's Basketball (4-1) used a 15-0 run over a four minute stretch between the first and second quarters build a 31-10 lead over the visiting Immaculata University Mighty Macs (0-5). Eastern built the lead to thirty points late in the half and held the lead en route to a convincing 74-50 win.
The two teams traded baskets early, and Eastern led 16-10 with two minutes to play in the opening quarter.
Regie Robinson blocked a shot and
Megan Bell connected on a jumper for an eight-point lead. On the next Eastern possession,
Kayla Holmes found
Amber Anderson for an open jumper on the wing and a ten-point edge. The Eagles forced a turnover with nine seconds left, and
Amanda Riiff hit a runner in the paint just before the buzzer to close out the quarter. Six different Eastern players scored in building the 22-10 lead.
Taylor Price had nine points, three rebounds and an assist in the first quarter.
Out of the break, the Eastern defense aimed to speed up the Mighty Macs and create chances. The press worked. Robinson converted after a Riiff steal and then made a pair of free throws. Seconds later, Price buried an open 3-pointer.
Emily Lavin finished the run with a lay-up.
Though both teams shot for a similar percentage in the first half, Eastern used offensive rebounds and pressure defense to get over double the number of chances in building a 44-24 lead. Robinson had six of Eastern's 12 offensive rebounds and the Mighty Macs committed 20 turnovers. Eastern was 19-of-45 from the floor and Immaculata converted 9-of-21 shots. Tamyra Laws had 12 points at half for the Mighty Macs. Price had 14 points on only nine shots. Lavin made 5-of-7 shots for 11 points.
The Eagles shot 41.4 percent from the floor after intermission and held their advantage above twenty to the finish. Lavin had a game-high 22 to pace the Eagles. Price finished with a season-best 20 points, and Robinson had 15 rebounds, 10 points, and five blocked shots.
Lavin, who is averaging a team-high 18.2 points per game this year, is now 11 points from 1,000 for her career. The senior standout will look to be the 14th Eastern player to reach that milestone when the Eagles play again at Rosemont College one week from tomorrow.
