DALLAS, Pa.– Eastern University Men's Basketball had an outside shot at a second seed int he MAC Freedom Tournament coming into today's regular-season finale at Misericordia. The Eagles got the help they needed but were unable to beat the two-time defending champs to take advantage. The Cougars, who were eliminated on Wednesday, rode the momentum of Senior Day to a 73-63 win.
The Cougars (14-11, 7-7 MAC Freedom) grabbed the lead five minutes into the game and never relinquished it. The Cougars led 38-26 with two and a half minutes to go in the first half. The Eagles closed the half with a 6-to-0 run and scored the first two baskets of the second half, but the Cougars responded with a 10-to-0 run to bump the lead back to 48-36.
The Misericordia lead grew to 18 points before the Eagles put together another 8-to-0 run to close the gap again, but there would be no miracle comeback.
The Eagles shot only 25-of-67 (37%) from the floor and made only 3-of-15 shots from behind the arc.
Michael Bowlers led the Eagles with 15 points and eight rebounds.
Clifton Adams added 12. Eastern had a 45-43 edge on the glass but only owned a 38-34 edge in points in the paint.
Jason Kenny, the two-time MAC Freedom Player of the Year, led the Cougars with 16 points and eight rebounds.
Coach McNelley Says:
"We did not match their energy. We are not talented enough to beat a team without a commitment to defending as a team and working hard to execute on offense. Misericordia has some outstanding players, and they brought the energy to the game today. I was disappointed with our energy and execution today."
Up Next:
As a result of the loss, the Eagles (15-10, 9-5 MAC Freedom) slip to the third spot behind Wilkes in the standings. The Colonels also finished 9-5 in the league, but they claim the tiebreaker by virtue of a win over fourth-place Delaware Valley. The Colonels were upset at FDU-Florham today. Eastern and Wilkes split their two games this year with both teams winning at home.
DeSales will host Delaware Valley in the other MAC Freedom Semifinal. The Bulldogs beat the Aggies in Center Valley this afternoon.
