MORRISVILLE, N.Y.– Six Eastern University Players scored in double-figures as the Eagles pulled away to their third consecutive win with a 96-81 win at Morrisville State University. Senior point guard Anthony Concepcion scored nine points and registered a season-best eight assists.

Playing without Victor Peña for a second game in a row, the Eastern Coach staff felt it was important to establish an inside game early and get off to a quick start in transition. The did both. Austin Duncan put the Eagles up 16-5 with a 3-pointer just over six minutes into the game. Duncan finished with 11 points on only six shot attempts.

The Eagles shot 53.8 percent from the floor and led 50-33 at halftime despite not making a free throw in the opening frame. Antonio Chapman and Darius Washington led Eastern with 11 points in the first half. Washington was 3-of-5 from behind the arc.

While the Eagles held a double-digit lead for the final 27 minutes of the game, the Mustangs (2-3) hung around for the early part of the second half. Chapman sparked a 9-0 run with a 3-pointer on an inbounds play. Gabe Perez and Jordan Johnson completed the run with back-to-back three-point plays.

Even without Peña in the lineup, the Eagles held a 46-32 advantage in points in the paint. Perez scored 16 on 6-of-9 shooting and Johnson recorded a double-double with 14 points and ten rebounds. William Blet scored nine of his 11 points off the bench in the second half.

Eastern did not expand the lead to more than 20, but the Mustangs, who played int he NCAA Tournament last year, were only able to get inside of 16 points on the final basket of the match.

"Concepcion did a great job establishing tempo for us," Head Coach Eric McNelley said after the game. "He got us out in transition to start the game, and we were able to play at a pace we enjoy. Playing our second game without Peña has helped our new guys get integrated into our system and style of play. This game experience is really valuable. Gabe, William Blet, and Jordan are starting to flourish."

Of the six Eastern players in double-figures, only Duncan, a junior forward, was on the roster last year. Chapman finished with a team-high 17 points, and Washington finished with 13.

Trent Ward led the hosts with 20 points, and Kevin Dennis had 17.

The Eagles (3-2) will stay in Upstate New York's and face a tough test tomorrow at Hamilton College. That game will start at 5 PM.