ST. DAVIDS, Pa.– Eastern University Women's Basketball stayed within striking distance of the visiting FDU-Florham Devils through the first half, but a 9-to-2 run form defending MAC Freedom Champions early in the second half pushed the lead to double digits, and the Eagles were not able to close the gap the rest of the way in an 85-69 loss. Regie Robinson scored 19 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead the Eagles off the bench.

The Devils (16-5, 8-2 MAC Freedom) scored 15 points off ten Eastern turnovers to build a 21-12 lead after one quarter. The Eagles took better care of the ball in the second quarter, but the Devils still stole four balls and forced seven turnovers.

When the Eagles did get shots, however, they were effective. Eastern shot 56.5 percent from the floor in the half, and sparked by Robinson's attacking play and some good shooting from Amanda Riiff, the Eagles used a 14-4 run to trim a 12-point deficit to 35-33 with less than two minutes to go in the half. Riiff hit a pair of 3-pointers and made two free throws after getting fouled shooting another one. Robinson, who is just rounding into form after missing several games with injury, had the other six points in the burst.

The Devils answered with a pair of 3-pointers to stretch the lead back to eight in a 30-second burst. FDU was 7-of-14 from behind the arc in the first half, and Bria Smith used five offensive rebounds to score ten points. The Devils led 41-35 at the break.

FDU guard Raven Dowling sparked the key run of the game with three-straight baskets. When Gabrielle Harris hit a 3-pointer two minutes into the second half, the Eagles trailed 50-37.

From that point on, the Eagles found ways to score with the Devils, but were unable to generate enough stops to cut into the deficit in any significant way. FDU shot 48 percent from the floor and made 16-of-20 from the foul line after halftime.

Taylor Price and Viki Knies each finished with 12 points and seven rebounds, and Riiff finished with 11 points. Brianna Young-Harris had eight points and seven rebounds.

Smith led the Devils with 22 and Gabrielle Harris had 20.

Eastern (4-17, 1-9 MAC Freedom) will play at Manhattanville on Saturday.