READING, Pa.– Eastern University Men's Basket5ball saw  several second-half rallies fall short in a a battle for the early-season lead in the MAC Commonwealth at Alvernia University. The host Golden Wolves (10-3, 4-1) saw a 15-point lead trimmed to three but made the plays to hold on for an 86-75 win. Alvernia scored the final six points of the game to pull away.

Alvernia made 5-of-9 first-half 3-pointers and were 10-of-15 from the foul line on the away to building a 48-36 lead at the intermission. The Eagles went just 1-of-8 from behind the arc and made just 14-of-35 shots and struggled to get much offensive rhythm going. Eastern had only seven first-half assists.

Kevin Reeves made a pair of free throws on the opening possession of the second half, but the Golden Wolves then put together a 7-to-0 run to build a 17-point lead. The Eagles responded with an 18-to-4 run over the next six minutes to close the gap to three with more than ten minutes to play. Jaron Fairweather, who was saddled with foul trouble for much of the first half, scored nine points in the burst.

The Eagles appeared to have another stop and transition opportunity, but what looked to be a steal, bounced to an open Jakob Kelly, and the Alvernia forward hit an unguarded 3-pointer. Kelly then stretched the Alvernia lead back to nine at the midpoint of the second half with a steal and a three-point play. The Eagles cut into the Alvernia lead on several more occasions, but the hosts made big shots at critical moments to hold off the rallies.

Fairweather led four Eagles in double-figures with 19 points and a team-high five steals. Kaeshawn Ward added 14 points and four steals. Sam Gallardo had 12 points, and Kevin Reeves had ten. Zubair Lee finished with nine points, 11 rebounds, and four blocks. The Golden Wolves put all five starters in double-figures.

While this is just Eastern's second trip to Alvernia since 2009, Jack McClosky court has not been a place where the Eagles have found a lot of success. Their only win in their last 13 games at Alvernia came in 2009.  The Eagles will host Alvernia on Feb. 1. Tonight's loss drops the Eagles (10-3, 3-1) a half game behind Alvernia with a dozen league games remaining.

Eastern will host Messiah University on Saturday.