ST. DAVIDS, Pa.– Eastern University Men's Basketball trailed by six points with three minutes to play in the first half, but the visiting Wesley College Wolverines closed out the half on a 9-to-2 run to build a 48-35 lead at the break. The Wolverines made 20-of-22 second-half free throws and only allowed the Eagles 21 field goal attempts after the intermission to pull away to a 94-68 win.
Despite shooting only 2-of-9 from behind the arc in the first half, the Eagles were able to score when they put the ball inside. As a group, they shot 10-of-13 from in and around the painted area. The Wolverines made five 3-pointers and were 13-of-15 from the foul line on the way to building their 13-point halftime lead.
Austin Duncan had nine of his ten points in the first half.
The Eagles went inside for a three-point play from
William Blet to start the second half. They were unable to make up ground despite getting several stops on the defensive end and still trailed 56-42 with 15 minutes to play. The Wesley lead grew as the Eagles were unable to find the range from distance and the Wolverines marched to the line. Eastern had chances at the line as well, but the Eagles hit on only 13-of-22 foul shots after the break.
"I am absolutely disappointed with our second half."Head Coach
Eric McNelley said after the game. "We worked hard and competed in the first half, but we did not compete the way we wanted to in the second half. Our post players got in foul trouble, and we let our frustration show. They have some very talented guards. They made plays. I am disappointed in myself that I let the frustration get the best of me and got an uncharacteristic technical. We have to do better on the defensive end and we need to be better on the glass. We need to get back to who we are before we get into the league."
Blet finished with a team-high 12 points.
Darius Washington had 11 and
Michael Bowlers had 10. Brian Cameron hit 16-of-17 foul shots and led the Wolverines with 31. Eric Anderson added 20.
Eastern (7-5) will be at Swarthmore on Saturday.
