WILKES-BARRE, Pa.– Eastern University Men's Basketball forced ten second-half turnovers and pulled away to a 75-64 win at King's College. Shaquan Turk scored 24 points and Austin Duncan added 18 as the Eagles snapped a five-game losing streak this year and won at King's for the first time since 2009.

After getting off to a terrible start at DeSales on Wednesday, the Eagles were committed to a quick start this afternoon.

"We really talked a lot about having more fun playing basketball," Head Coach Eric McNelley said of the preparation for the game. "We really wanted to move the ball quickly, especially early in possessions, and to get more guys touches. I think we did a really good job with that in the first half. We got good shots, and we made them."

Duncan, starting for the third time in his career, made his presence felt right away. The sophomore guard hit a 3-pointer from the wing and then found a cutting Victor Peña for a 5-2 lead.

The Monarchs answered, but the Eagles kept the tempo high and built the lead to 22-14 on a Turk 3-pointer with midway through the half. Eastern made 5-of-7 from behind the arc and 15-of-29 shots from the floor in the first half.

The Monarchs, however, clawed back into the game behind the outside shooting of Connor Callejas and 12-of-16 shooting from the foul line. Callejas led all scorers at halftime with 18 points. The Eagles clung to a 38-36 lead at the break.

Callejas made his fifth 3-pointer of the game to put the Monarchs up on the opening possession of the second half. King's would not lead again.

"We spent the week talking about running him off the 3-point line," McNelley said. "We did a much better job of it in the second half. He had too many good looks early."

Eastern used  14-4 run over a six minute stretch to build a 10-point lead and held on to level their MAC Freedom record at 1-1.

Turk made all eight of his second-half free throws, and the Eagles' defense did the rest.

"We deflected 28 balls today," McNelley said. "A lot of those turned into turnovers, but it also kept them from getting into a rhythm. We have to play with that kind of energy at the defensive end to win in this league. I am pleased with our effort today."

Dan Rutecki scored 27 points and grabbed 14 rebounds, and Callejas had 26 for the Monarchs.

The Eagles (6-7, 1-1 MAC Freedom) will host Misericordia on Wednesday night. The Cougars fell at FDU-Florham this afternoon.