ST. DAVIDS, Pa.– Eastern University Women's Basketball hosted the Albright College Lions in the first intercollegiate athletic action in 11 months. The Eagles battled the 2020 MAC Commonwealth runners-up until the final seconds, but the visiting Lions closed out the game on a 17-9 run to secure a 53-50 win. Jaelyn Harris led the Eagles with 18 points. 

While the game on the floor was tight throughout, the story of the night was the effort by both schools and the MAC to get back to playing. Players from both programs have undergone rigorous testing since January and both teams played in masks. 

The Lions (1-0) took advantage of a late turnover in the first quarter to grab an 8-7 lead at the first break, but the Eagles buried four 3-pointers in a 21-point second quarter to take a 28-26 lead into halftime. Jaelyn Harris had a pair of those long-range efforts and Da'Naziah Brown and Mikayla Wright also connected from deep in the period. Wright finished her collegiate debut with 10 points, seven rebounds, and three steals. Naomi Harris scored seven of her nine points in the second frame. 

Play returned to the grinding pace of the first quarter in the third period. With Jaelyn Harris on the bench for much of the period in foul trouble, the Eagles managed only three baskets in the frame. Even with the offensive struggles, the Eagles held the lead until the final two minutes and went to the final quarter tied. 

Jaelyn Harris scored the first five points of the fourth on a long-three pointer and a beautiful twisting lay-up. The Eastern lead stood at 41-36 after Sara Haas converted in the lane with seven minutes to play, but a 6-0 Albright run erased the Eastern edge. Jaelyn harris scored on another tough drive to put the Eagles up 43-42 with four minutes to play. Albright's Brady Wassel put the Lions up for good with a lay-up and a 3-pointer.

Though the Albright lead swelled to seen at 52-50, the Eagles scratched back. Wright hit her second 3-pointer of the game and Naomi Harris buried two free throws to pull within two with 45 seconds left. Coach Houston's squad elected to play for the stop. The Eagles got their stop when Brynn Schmidt ripped down the rebound with 17 seconds left to give Eastern a chance to tie. When Jaelyn Harris's contested lay-up rolled off the rim, the Eagles needed to foul. 

When Maggie O'Hare split a pair of free throws at the other end, the Eagles had a last chance to tie with the ball on the sideline and three seconds to play. Viki Kneis got a 3-pointer to the rim, but there would be no miracle finish tonight.

"We had a number of possessions where we just need to execute better," Head Coach Eric Houston said after the game. "We made some plays down the stretch to give ourselves a chance, but we are going to need to fix some of the stretches where we did not get good shots. It's good to be back playing, and I think we will be better tomorrow.

Kneis grabbed a career-high 13 rebounds to lead the Eagles on the glass. Gabby Boggs had 17 points and 14 rebounds to lead the Lions.

Eastern (0-1) is at Albright tomorrow.