MARYVILLE, Tenn.– Eastern University Men's Basketball erased an 8-point second-half deficit to pick up a hard-fought 68-65 win over the host and no. 25 Maryville College Scots in the opening game of the Maryville Tip-off Tournament. It is the second road win over a 2017-18 NCAA Tournament participant in two games for the Eagles. Austin Duncan finished with a game-high 20 points in his return to his home town.

How It Happened:
After trailing 32-20 with four and a half minutes left tin the first half, the Eagles were pleased to be within striking distance down 36-33 at the intermission. Victor Peña sparked a 13-to-4 run to close out the half with a jumper in the paint. Duncan scored the next seven points and Darius Washington hit a 3-pointer as time expired. Duncan had 11 at the break and Washington had ten.

Victor Peña cut the Maryville deficit to 38-36 with a three-point play early in the second half, but the hosts, who won the USA South last year, answered with six points in a row to build an eight-point edge in front of their home fans.

Duncan made a 3-pointer between inside hoops from Peña and Michael Bowlers to close the gap to 44-43 and Bowlers split a pair from the line tie the game with 15 minutes to play. The hosts pulled out to a four point lead at the midpoint of the half, but back-to-back baskets from Duncan and Washington allowed the Eagles to tie the game at 54-54.

The pair hit two more baskets, With Washington's hoop from behind the arc to pull out to a 59-54 lead. The Eagles held the lead the rest of the way.

Draig Ruff again made his presence felt late. He had 11 points, six rebounds and a blocked shot in the final 11 minutes of the game. The first year guard hit a big 3-pointer on a pass from Peña to answer a Maryville basket and put the Eagles up 66-59 with less than three minutes left to play.

The Eagles held the final margin despite shooting only 12-of-21 from the foul line and 25-of-64 from the floor. Washington finished with 15 points and seven rebounds and Bowlers had 11 points and 10 rebounds for his first career double-double.

Coach McNelley Says:
"It was a tremendous team effort today. We had several players step up and give us some great minutes. We got a little rattled early in the first half after Victor and Micheal both picked up their second fouls but our rotation guys stepped up and kept us within striking distance."

"We took a calculated risk putting Victor back into the game in the first half and it gave us the spark we needed to cut the deficit to three at the half.

"I'm happy for Austin Duncan. He was able to come home and play in front of his family and friends and get a win against a nationally-ranked opponent."

"Darius Washington played all 40 minutes today and lead us with his effort and leadership. His Wilkes-Barre sidekick (Ruff) came up huge once again and made some key plays in the second half to help us secure this win."

"I'm pleased with our effort and buy-in. We need to rest up and get ready for another tough opponent in Webster tomorrow."

Up Next:
The Eagles will play the Webster University Gorloks in the 1:00 pm game at Maryville. The Gorloks (2-1) dropped the early game today to Emory and Henry. Eastern will play Albright College at home on Tuesday.