ST. DAVIDS, Pa.– Eastern University Women's Basketball held the visiting Wilkes University Colonels (7-11, 3-5 MAC Freedom) to 26.5 percent shooting in the first half and dominated on the glass on the way to an 82-68 MAC Freedom win. Minika Glenn scored 19 points to lead five Eastern players in double-figures.

How It Happened:
The Eagles ran into big foul trouble in Wilkes-Barre when the two teams met earlier in the month. Several Eastern players fouled out as the Colonels shot 47 free throws in an overtime win. Today, the Eagles were able to play pressure defense, contest shots, and control the glass without getting into early foul trouble. 

On the offensive end, guards Da'Naziah Brown and Jaelyn Harris were able to control tempo from the start and the Eagles were able to get and hit good shots late in the shot clock. Harris had three first-quarter 3-pointers and Brown had another as the Eagles build a 20-15 lead after a quarter.

Glenn started the second quarter with a coast-to-coast effort for a three-point play. The sophomore put together her most efficient scoring game since transferring in at semester. She was 6-of-10 from the floor and 5-of-5 from the line. She grabbed nine rebounds and three steals and had only a pair of turnovers.

The Eastern lead grew to 27-17 when Viki Kneis answered a Wilkes basket with a pair of baskets. After the Colonels scored twice to answer, Naomi Harris sparked a 17-to-6 run to close the half with a 3-pointer on a pass from Brynn Schmidt. Jaelyn Harris hit her fourth 3-pointer of the half late in the frame and Brown closed out the run with a pair of free throws for a 44-27 lead at the half.

Jaelyn Harris had 12 points at halftime and Brown had eight. Naomi Harris had seven points, seven rebounds, and four assists. The Eagles made 7-of-14 3-pointers in the first half and had a 28-16 edge on the glass.

The Colonels cut the Eastern lead to ten midway through the third, but Kneis found Glenn at the arc for an open 3-pointer to build the lead back to 13. When Wilkes scored to answer, Glenn made a second 3-pointer. This time it was Brown who found her. The Eagles finished the game with 18 assists on 26 field goals. Brown, Kneis, and Naomi Harris each had four assists in the game.

The Eagles held a 14-point edge with one quarter to play.

Wilkes trimmed the deficit to 72-65 on a 4-point play from Kayla Aufiero with a minute to play, but the Eagles made 8-of-10 foul shots down the stretch to secure the win.

Brown and Naomi Harris both finished with ten points and double-doubles. Harris had 12 rebounds and Brown had ten. Jaelyn Harris finished with 16 points and Kneis had 14 points and six rebounds. 

Gab Giordano scored a game-high 20 points to pace Wilkes.

Coach Houston Says:
"This was a great team win. We had outstanding effort on both ends of the floor, and we stuck together and competed. I loved that we shared the ball and had balanced scoring. I am very proud of the way the group came out and played today.

Up Next:
Eastern hosts King's on Wednesday at 6:00 pm. The Monarchs lost at home today to league-leading DeSales.