ST. DAVIDS, Pa.– Eastern University Men's Basketball used a 22-to-6 run midway through the second half to break open a tight game on the way to an 89-79 MAC Freedom win over the visiting FDU-Florham Devils. Michael Bowlers led the Eagles with 25 points and Darius Washington added 20.

How it Happened:
Both teams had leads in the opening half, but the Devils held a 37-36 lead at the break. FDU was 5-of-16 from behind the arc. The Eagles were 15-of-30 in the period, but made only 1-of-10 from long range. The Eastern lead grew to six points when Brennan Kastens scored inside to put his side up 25-19, but the Eagles were unable to grow that edge and the Devils pulled level on a Kenneth LaRocca 3-pointer three minutes later.

Marquise Peel had six points, five assists, and three rebounds in 18 minutes in the first half. Tyler Christie led the Devils with eight.

The two teams traded baskets through the first eight minutes of the second half and the Devils led 53-50 when William Blet found Bowlers inside for a three-point play to start the decisive run of the game. After an empty possession from the Devils, Washington pulled up for a deep 3-pointer for a 56-53 lead. The Devils answered with an inside hoop from Darren Davy, but Blet and Draig Ruff fed Bowlers for hoops on back-to-back possessions for a 60-55 lead.

Ruff answered a Shawn Smith hoop with a pair of free throws before Washington hit a deep 3-pointer late in the shot clock for a 65-57 lead. Washington hit another 3-pointer and 2-of-3 free throws to close out the run.

FDU (4-11, 1-2 MAC Freedom) hit four 3-pointers in the final four and a half minutes to force the Eagles to make their free throws to hold the lead, but the Eagles (8-6, 2-1 MAC Freedom). The Eagles were 11-of-13 down the stretch and 16-of-19 in the second half to hold on for the important league win.

All eight Eastern players who saw action this evening grabbed at least three rebounds. Michaiah Fraction led the Eagles with six. Eastern recorded 21 assists on their 31 made field goals. Peel finished with a game high seven. Ruff had five boards, five assists, and five made free throws for five points. After going 1-of-10 from 3-point range in the first half, the Eagles were 5-of-8 from distance in the second half.

Andy Fleurantin led five Devils in double-figures with 20 points. Oliver Ortman made six 3-pointers and finished with 18 points. 

The Eagles have now won the last six games between the two programs and nine of the last ten. Eastern will play at Wilkes on Saturday. The Colonels (10-4, 2-1)  fell 97-85 at DeSales this evening.