ST. DAVIDS, Pa.– Eastern University Men's Basketball celebrated its four seniors with an 81-57 home win over the Misercordia University Cougars. The Eagles (16-9, 11-3 MAC Freedom) came into the game locked into the second seed in the upcoming MAC Freedom Tournament. Michael Bowlers and Victor Peña each recorded double-doubles and made a pair of 3-pointers in the win.

How It Happened:
The program honored the four seniors with a short ceremony before the game. The four individuals each arrived in different seasons but came together over the past two to lead the Eagles into the MAC Freedom Tournament.

Victor Peña, is currently enrolled in graduate school and is competing in his fifth season after a season-ending knee injury last year. He came into the day with 818 rebounds and 34 double-doubles. He was ranked 13th among active players in both categories. He finished today with 14 points and 12 rebounds.

Clifton Adams came to Eastern the next season. He too is enrolled in graduate school. He has seen his role increase in each of his four seasons on the floor and is averaging career-highs, in points, rebounds, assists, and minutes this year. Adams had seven points and five steals tonight. He had two assists, and as has been his pattern, no turnovers.

Game Perez finished the evening with nine points and eight rebounds. Perez transferred into Eastern after his freshman season at Ithaca. The next year, his high school coach joined Eastern's staff as an assistant. Dan Pruessner is now Eastern's head coach. As has been his way, Perez was efficient and unselfish. He made all three of his 3-point attempts and only took six shots.

Michael Bowlers stole the show. Bowlers came back to school after time away. In his two years at Eastern, Bowlers has been efficient in the post and regular source of joy for teammates and coaches. He has worked a full-time job while going to school and playing basketball. He finished tonight with a career high 28 points. He also grabbed 11 rebounds, dished out four assists, and blocked a pair of shots. His two 3-pointers came in a  28-to-9 run that broke the game open late.

After shooting 18-of-39 on the way to a 40-28 halftime lead, the Eagles were letting the Cougars hang around early in the second half. When Diby Keita rolled in a 3-pointer with 13 minutes left, the Eastern lead had shrunk to 47-40.

The Eagles then started their big run. Peña and Draig Ruff each made lay-ups before Nate Kreitzer snuck inside and slipped in a lay-up.

The ball started rolling for the Eagles after Adams split a pair at the line. Starting with a thundering alley-oop dunk from William Blet, the Eagles scored the next 14 points. Perez and Bowlers each hit 3-pointers and the Eagles led 66-42 at the eight-minute mark.

The four Eastern seniors scored the final 20 points of the game before Pruessner pulled each in sequence over the final six minutes.

Draig Ruff finished with 13 points, four rebounds, four assists, and three steals.

Keith was the only Misericordia player in double-figures. He scored 11.

Coach Pruessner Says:
"Today was a great day to celebrate this senior class. Eastern Men's Basketball is richer for having them as part of the program. They have been part of really good success on the floor so far, and we are looking forward to what is to come. I am grateful to their families for the sacrifices they have made to have these guys be part of our program and I look forward to seeing them succeed in the future."

Up Next:
The Eagles host DeSales in the MAC Freedom Tournament at 7 pm on Wednesday. Stevens Institute of Technology will host FDU-Florham in the other semifinal. Ticket information will be made available early next week.