RADNOR, Pa. - Behind a strong second half, particularly on the offensive end of the floor, Eastern Men's Basketball emerged victorious in the annual Battle of Eagle Road, defeating Cabrini 81-61 in a raucous Nerney Field House. The Eagles scored the game's opening basket and never trailed, collecting their third straight triumph over their cross street rival and their fourth victory in the last six meetings between the two schools. Additionally, it was the Eagles' largest margin of victory over the Cavaliers in the series' history. 

The Eagles opened the game with a 7-0 run on a pair of Kaeshawn Ward fastbreak layups and a Sam Gallardo triple. Another trey from Gallardo, followed by a made jumper from Ward, put the Eagles up 12-4 in the first 4:30 of the contest.

The Cavaliers emerged from their early offensive funk, cutting the Eagles' lead to three with 11:11 remaining in the first half. However, the Eagles responded with a 11-4 run over the following 5:52, which included six points from Ward and a fast-break three from Terron Bacon, to go ahead 27-17 with less than six minutes to play in the opening period. Cabrini cut the advantage to three once more later in the frame, but the Eagles again had an answer, hitting five free throws in the final 3:22 to take a 34-27 into halftime.

Gallardo got the Eastern offense rolling in the second half, recording a pair of layups to put the Eagles up by 11 early. The Cavaliers were able to trim it to six with 14:36 remaining, but they were unable to draw any closer. A Bacon three increased the advantage back to nine, and five points from Draig Cooley, combined with a William Blet layup, made it a 12-point Eastern lead.

Bacon's third triple of the game at the 7:11 mark slammed the door on the Cavaliers as the Eagles held their double-digit advantage the rest of the way. The lead swelled to as many as 22 points before Eastern secured the 20-point triumph.

The Eagles dominated the second half, outscoring the Cavaliers 47-34 and shooting 50 percent (15-of-30) from the field. Additionally, the Eastern defense created havoc for the Cabrini offense all evening, forcing 25 turnovers, 15 of which came in the first half, and scoring 23 points off of those giveaways. Additionally, the Eagles held a 25-9 advantage in fast break points.

"These games are always big because of the emotions and the hype and everything," Eastern Head Coach Dan Pruessner said. "I think the difference was going into the second half, we kept that pressure and we executed offensively."

Ward scored a team-high 18 points, 14 in the first half, while Cooley and Gallardo each finished with 13. Bacon collected nine points off the bench, all via the three ball, while Blet added eight points and a team-leading 11 rebounds.

Eastern Men's Basketball will look to make it three straight wins on Saturday when they travel to Chambersburg to take on the Wilson College Phoenix. Tip is scheduled for 1:30 pm.