ST. DAVIDS, Pa.– A late charge fell short as Eastern University Women's Basketball dropped a 65-56 decision to the visiting DeSales University Bulldogs. Amanda Riiff and Emily Lavin each had 13 to lead the Eagles.

In the first meeting of the year between the two sides, the Bulldogs (14-4, 6-2 MAC Freedom) hit seven first-half 3-pointers. The Eagles addressed that issue, but allowed 24 points in the paint in the first half. DeSales center Morgan McCollian had 13 of her game-high 29 in the first half.

The Eagles (12-7, 4-4 MAC Freedom) trailed by 11 and had made only five field goals at the midpoint of the second quarter. Lavin sparked  a 10-1 run with a steal. Kayla Holmes found Brianna Young-Harris in transition. Lavin then scored five-straight points on a drive to the basket and three-point play on a good feed from Riiff. Riiff closed out the run with a 3-pointer on another good pass from Holmes. 

Despite the fact that DeSales shot 58.3 percent from the floor, and the Eagles made just 9-of-27 shots, DeSales held just a 30-28 lead at halftime.

The third quarter proved to be the decisive period of the game. McCollian scored eight points and DeSales build the lead to nine points with 10 minutes left.

When DeSales opened the fourth period on a 6-2 run, the Eagles trailed 55-42 and needed a spark. Regie Robinson provided the scoring with six points and two rebounds in a minute to force a DeSales timeout.

The Eagles cut the deficit to five on three separate occasions. Each time, the Bulldogs had an answer, and they made four-straight free throws down the stretch to close out the game.

Robinson finished with 12 points and a team-high eight rebounds.

Eastern will face another stiff test at Misericordia on Wednesday. The third-place Cougars beat the Eagles in St. Davids earlier in the month, and today they became the first league team to beat FDU-Florham.