ST. DAVIDS, Pa. - Behind a staunch second-half performance, particularly on the defensive end of the floor, Eastern Women's Basketball recorded its second win of the season, defeating Penn State Brandywine 73-42 at the Nest on Saturday afternoon. The Eagles held the Lions to just 22.4 percent shooting from the floor (13-of-58) in the contest, while outscoring them 39-15 in the final two quarters of play.

Four Eagles finished in double figures, led by Ashya Gaddy's 21, her second-highest output for the Eagles this season. Additionally, both Taryn Woodson and Mikayla Wright recorded double-doubles for Eastern. Woodson tied her career-high in points with 14 while setting a new career-best in rebounds with 17, while Wright also scored 14 and notched a career-high 11 rebounds. Camila Sosa rounded out Eastern's double-digit scorers with 12.

The first half was a close affair, with neither team leading by more than nine points in the opening two quarters. Eastern jumped out to an early 7-3 lead on baskets from Sosa, Gaddy, and Brynn Schmidt, before increasing that advantage to 11-5 at the 4:35 mark. PSU Brandywine used a 6-0 run to cut the Eastern advantage to 1, but a three-pointer from Jaelyn Harris and a bucket from Wright at the buzzer put the Eagles up 16-13 at the first quarter break.

The Lions made another offensive push in the first five minutes of the second frame, trimming the Eagles' lead to 26-24 at the 4:53 mark, but Eastern responded with a 7-3 run to take a 34-27 lead at halftime.

The Eagles followed the halftime break with one of their best quarters of the season, outscoring the Lions 22-4 in the third period to increase their lead from seven to 25. Wood and Wright combined for 12 points in the frame, and Schmidt hit a pair of triples in the final 2:05 to help the Eagles pull away. Eastern led by as many as 37 points in the fourth and never trailed by less than 28 the rest of the way.

Defensively, the Eagles completed stifled the Lions' offense, holding Penn State Brandywine to just four-of-25 shooting in the final 20 minutes of play.

"It was a much-needed win," Eastern Head Coach Eric Houston said. "Our defense in the third quarter was the turning point. We just have to continue to play like that, get healthy, take this win, and continue to push forward for the next one."

Eastern Women's Basketball will be back in action for a pair of contests on December 30 and 31 at Cabrini. The Eagles will begin tournament play against Rowan on December 30 at 4:00 pm.