CENTER VALLEY, Pa.– Eastern University Women's Basketball made just 4-of-20 field goal attempts in the second half in a 64-48 loss at DeSales University in the MAC Freedom opener for both teams. The Eagles (9-3, 0-1 MAC Freedom) put together rallies in the second and third periods but never led.

The Eagles started out with an inside basket from Emily Lavin for a 2-0 lead but only had two more baskets in the first period. DeSales (9-3, 1-0 MAC Freedom) made three 3-pointers in the opening period on the way to a 17-9 lead at the end of one quarter.

The Eagles put together their best stretch of basketball in the opening minutes of the second period. Able to extend their defense, the Eagles scored eight points in two minutes to tie the game at 17-17. That momentum, however, did not hold. The host Bulldogs hit back-to-back 3-pointers and made another jumper to extend their lead to 25-17. While Eastern was able to protect the rim and limit inside chances, the Bulldogs hit their open shots and grabbed control of the game.

DeSales led 37-23 at halftime. Regie Robinson led Eastern with nine points at halftime. Eastern had a 14-10 edge in points in the paint through 20 minutes, but DeSales made seven 3-pointers to just one for Eastern.

After the intermission, the Eagles were able to cut the DeSales lead to nine points with an 8-0 run but were never able to close the gap further. Eastern made only two inside baskets in the second half and was only able to stay within striking distance with 15-of-19 shooting from the foul line.

Emily Lavin led the Eagles with 13 points. She made 7-of-8 foul shots, but was limited to 3-of-9 shooting from the floor. It is the first game this year that Lavin has made less than 50 percent of her shots from the floor. Robinson was limited with second-half foul trouble and finished with 12 points and nine rebounds.

The Eagles will remain in MAC Freedom play for the rest of the year. They are at King's College on Saturday.