ST. DAVIDS, Pa.– After an extended break, Eastern University Men's Basketball returned to the floor with strong defensive effort to claim a 75-60 win over the visiting Rowan University Profs (5-7). The Eagles (5-6) shot 53 percent from the floor and committed only 11 turnovers in finishing their non-league slate for the year. Micheal Bowlers led the way with 18 points.
Gabe Perez and
William Blet each added 13.
How It Happened:
The Eagles scored the first five points of the game and held the lead for all but 45 seconds on the way to a 35-29 halftime lead. Bowlers and Perez each had ten points at the break as the Eagles were able to control tempo and dominate the paint. With Rowan stuck on the perimeter, the Eagles held a 26-to-8 edge in points in the paint. The Profs made six first-half 3-pointers, including one from Damian Smith to give them their only lead of the game at 19-18. Bowlers finished a put-back basket and Blet scored on a nice pass from Victor Peña to build the lead back to 22-19.
Eastern extended the lead to 33-23 with a 9-to-0 run over a four minute stretch late in the half. Perez hit an elbow jumper and a 3-pointer from the top of the key in the run. The Profs, who entered the game averaging 10 made 3-pointers per game, hit a pair of long shots in the final minute to cut the Eastern lead to six at the break.
With Eastern setting the pace, the Profs outscored the Eagles 4-to-1 in the opening four and a hlaf minutes of the second half and cut the Eastern edge to 36-33. Blet and Bowlers then combined for an 8-to-0 run to build the Eastern lead back to 11 points. Rowan briefly pulled within six on a Maliq Sanders 3-pointer, but
Sam Gallardo pilfered on offensive rebound and found Bowlers with a no-look bounce pass to start a decisive 20-to-6 run. Gallardo finished with a game-high five assists. Blet and
Draig Ruff each hit 3-pointers and six different Eastern players scored in the run. Peña scored the final five points in the burst on a three-point play inside and a beautiful wing jumper late in the shot clock for a 20-point lead with five minutes left. Peña grabbed a game-high eight rebounds and added three steals and three assists to go with his seven points.
The win is the third against Rowan in the last four years. The Profs, who came into today's game averaging 84 points an outing, ran away won their only game in the set last season.
The Eagles made 15-of-28 shots after halftime and held the Profs to 3-of-17 from behind the arc. Sanders led Rowan with 15 points.
Coach Pruessner Says:
"I'm really pleased with the way we executed our game plan. We were able to use our length to contest shots at the arc without fouling. Blet and Bowlers were both really good at being active on close-outs, communicating with our guards and challenging shots. When we shoot 53 percent and have only 11 turnovers, we should win the game. It was a full team effort to handle their pressure. They want to speed you up and make you throw it away. Cliff, Draig and Sam were able to be steady with the ball and our bigs were available at the right time to provide escapes."
"Vic's impact in that game was bigger than his stats. He provided a lot of leadership in the second half. Little things like setting a good screen late in the shot clock and communicating on defense really make a big difference. We were able to control to the pace of the game through each possession. I've felt all along that we are getting better and developing our identity. Today was a good step forward. We have a big game on Wednesday to start into conference games."
Up Next:
The Eagles start into the MAC Freedom with a critical home test against King's. The 6-4 Monarchs feature one of the bigger line-ups in the league. The Eagles earned wins in both matches against King's last year.
