MADISON, N.J.– Eastern University Women's Basketball led for the first 34 minutes of the game before falling, 71-63, at FDU-Florham on Wednesday night. The defending MAC Freedom Champions grabbed the lead for good with three free throws with 5:53 on the clock and used an 11-2 run over the next three minutes to break the game open.
Taylor Price led the Eagles with 23 points and nine rebounds.
As has been the case all year, the Eagles (4-12, 1-4 MAC Freedom) showed they could play with anyone on their schedule. Eastern used a 10-0 run in the second quarter to build a 27-15 lead with four minutes to go in the half. That lead grew to as many as 13 points, and the Eagles led 33-25 at the break.
Price was spectacular in the opening half. The senior guard was 5-of-8 from the floor with three 3-pointers. As important, she was unfazed by the Devil press. She was charged with just a single turnover in 17 minutes.
Brianna Young-Harris had nine points and eight rebounds at the break.
After the Devils (11-5, 4-1 MAC Freedom) hit the opening basket of the second half, the Eagles responded with a 7-0 run to build the lead back to 13 at 42-29. Price started the burst with a 3-pointer and after a
Maya Harris basket in transition, capped the run with an inside basket of her own.
At that point, FDU's Gabrielle Harris started to heat up. The sophomore guard scored 21 of her game-high 26 points in the final 16 minutes of the game. She started that streak with consecutive 3-pointers to close the Eastern lead to 42-35 with in less than 30 seconds.
After shooting 11-of-37 from the field in the first half, the Devils were 16-of-32 in the second half. They were 8-of-13 in the decisive fourth quarter. The Eagles, still playing without
Regie Robinson, who is out with injury, were only 3-of-13 in the final frame.
Young-Harris recorded her third career and third consecutive double-double. She finished with 12 points, 13 rebounds, four assists, three steals, and two blocks.
Viki Kneis was 6-of-10 from the floor for a career-high 12 points.
The Eagles will host Manhattanville at 1:00 pm on Saturday.
