YORK, Pa. - In its final regular season game of the season, offensive struggles and a late first-half run from the hosts proved to be the difference as Eastern Women's Basketball dropped a 54-41 decision to York on Saturday afternoon. After an early defensive battle, York used a 16-7 run from the 7:26 mark of the second quarter to the 9:24 mark of the third to build a double-digit advantage it would not relinquish. 

Eastern shot just 15-of-52 from the field (28.8 percent) and three-of-16 from beyond the arc, and the Spartan defense did not allow any Eagles to reach double figures. Taryn Woodson led the Eagles with nine points and 14 rebounds, her 18th double-digit rebound game of the season, while Brynn Schmidt and Jaelyn Harris each scored seven. 

Both teams struggled to score points in the first quarter as the Spartans built a 10-6 lead after the opening 10 minutes. The Eagles scored the first six points of the game, which included a pair of baskets from Woodson, but the Spartans responded with 10 unanswered points, taking a 10-6 lead into the second quarter. 

Free throws from Woodson and Camila Sosa in the opening minute of the second frame briefly stopped the York surge, cutting the advantage down to two points. That would be as close as the Eagle would get the rest of the afternoon, however, as York's ensuing 16-7 sprint put the Spartans up 26-15 early in the third quarter.

Eight combined points from Woodson and Ashya Gaddy in the following 4:11 trimmed the Spartan lead down to six, but that proved to be the Eagles' final push. The Spartans eventually regained their double-digit lead, building it to as many as 19 before eventually securing the 13-point triumph. 

Eastern will begin MAC Commonwealth Tournament play on Wednesday as the No. 7 seed, making the quick trek to Chester on to take on No. 2 Widener in the quarterfinal round. Opening tip-off time has yet to be announced.