OWINGS MILLS, Md.– Despite putting in one of the team's best defensive performances of the year, Eastern University Men's Basketball was unable to overcome a tough first half of shooting in a 65-61 loss at Stevenson University. Sam Gallardo led the Eagles with 18 points and WIlliam Blet added 17 points and 13 rebounds.

The last time the two teams met in Owings Mills, the Mustangs raced to a 95-83 win.

This game looked a lot different from the start. Neither team was able to get open looks early, and both teams struggled from the floor. The Eagles built a 14-10 lead with nine and a half minutes to play. The host Mustangs (5-6) then put together a 15-to-2 run over the next nine minutes. Eastern's only points in the run came on a steal and a score from Kaeshawn Ward.

Down 25-16, the Eagles got a glimmer of hope heading to the second half when Terron Bacon connected on a 3-pointer, the first made 3-pointer in 11 attempts. In the fist half, the Eagles went 9-for-30 from the floor, had nine first-half turnovers, and did not attempt a free throw. 

As rugged as the first half felt, the Eagles were still in the game.The offense came alive in the second half, and the Eagles took a 48-47 lead on a pair of Blet free throws with under six minutes left. The Mustangs scored the next seven points from the foul line and shortly after pushed the lead back to nine with two and a half minutes left.

The Eagles scratched back and had the ball down four with 20 seconds left. An offensive foul call on Kaeshawn Ward gave Stevenson the ball back, but a pair of misses at the foul line gave the Eagles a chance. Joshua Grant scored with four seconds left to pull the Eagles to within two at 63-61, but Mustang senior McKale Williams made his final two free throws to seal the win.

The Eagles (0-9) made 5-of-12 from behind the arc in the second half and took 20 free throws. Gallardo scored 16 of his points in the second half. Williams led the Mustangs with 20 points.