ST. DAVIDS, Pa.– Eastern University Men's Basketball dropped a 100-76 decision to Preseason No. 1 Swarthmore in the season-opener for both teams. The Garnet stretched a 12-point halftime lead to the final margin.
How It Happened:
The Eagles were able to hold Swarthmore to 1-of-10 from behind the arc in the opening half, but they were not able to capitalize at the other end of the floor. The Eagles made only 9-of-30 shots before the intermission. The Garnet limited the Eagles' ability to work for opportunities inside as
William Blet and
Michael Bowlers each only had a single shot attempt at halftime.
Clifton Adams led the Eagles with nine points on four-of-eight shooting at half. The Garnet were able to get good looks inside the arc and had seven offensive boards and made 10-of-16 free throws for the 41-29 lead.
Both sides made adjustments in the locker room. Blet and Bowlers got touches in the paint and the duo put the Garnet big men in foul trouble. The pair drew 11 fouls after halftime and Blet scored 14 of his team high 16 points in the frame. Bowlers had 10 points and nine rebounds after the intermission.
The Garnet, however, found the range from deep. As a team that advanced to the National Championship game last year with great spacing and timely shooting, the Garnet were able to make the extra pass and get the looks they needed. They hit 9-of-19 3-pointers after the break. That proved to be too much for the Eagles to overcome.
Bowlers finished with 10 points and 12 rebounds and Adams and
Draig Ruff both reached double-figures with 11.
Terron Bacon made three 3-pointers for his nine points.
Justin Tucker led six Swarthmore players in double-figures with 18 points in 18 minutes off the bench.
Coach Pruessner Says:
"It's a great opportunity to go up against the number one ranked team in the country in my first game as a college head coach. The staff is proud of how our guys faced adversity through the course of the game. Our emphasis going in was to stay focused on the next play. In that, we failed numerous times throughout the game, but I also felt like we learned from it as well."
"Swarthmore is a well deserving preseason pick to be at the top, they are disciplined and talented. I liked what I saw from a lot of our guys. Out post play is crucial to our success and it was good to see Blet and Bowlers turn it around in the second half. We have to get better defensively. There is no doubt in my mind our group can be one of the best teams in our league defensively by January. Overall, I feel like we got better tonight."
Up Next:
The Eagles have a quick turnaround for their next game. The next game is another big one. The Eagles host Eagle Road-rival Cabrini on Tuesday. There will be limited seating. Wristbands for Eastern students will be distributed in McInnis Hall starting at 10 am on Monday. Eastern SAAC is running a canned food drive for the doubleheader. Fans are urged to bring a can or two or a couple dollars for donation to the Wayne United Methodist Church Food Pantry.
