FREDERICK, Md. – Eastern University Men's Basketball rallied from a 16-point deficit to grab a 68-65 lead with 50 seconds to go, but the host Hood College Blazers scored the last six points of the game to earn a 71-68 win and move to the top of the MAC Commonwealth standings. Kaeshawn Ward scored 16 points and Zubair Lee scored 14 points and added 12 rebounds in the loss.

The Eagles (10-5, 2-2) had nothing going early. They trailed 30-14 and had made only five baskets with 67 seconds to play in the first half. They found a glimmer of hope when Lee hit four consecutive free throws over a thirty second stretch, and the Blazers missed a 3-point attempt at the other end and sent Eljay Morris to the line for a pair of free throws. Morris made the first one and Arkese Claiborne grabbed an offense rebound and fired it out to Ward for a 3-pointer.

Despite shooting 6-of-24 and committing 19 first-half turnovers, the Eagles only trailed 30-22 at half.

The Eastern defense deserved some credit. The Eagles limited the Blazers to 11-of-39 from the floor and only allowed nine 3-point attempts. Hood scored 58 in the first half of a home win over Widener.

The Eagles started the second half with intentions to get the ball inside the Hood zone. Lee got to the free throw line early and the Eagles tied the score at 36 on a Nick Mate 3-pointer.

The Blazers (12-3, 4-0) , however, had an answer. The hosts put together a 14-to-2 run over the next four minutes to rebuild their edge to 50-38 at the midpoint of the second half.

Claiborne began to make an impact at the offensive end. The senior transfer had six points and three assists over a 21-to-11 run that brought the Eagles to within a basket with 4:12 on the clock. Ward hit a pair of 3-pointers in the burst and Mate finished the run with a long effort right in front of the Eastern bench.

Hood scored twice to lead 65-59 with 3:25 to play.

Fairweather hit a 3-pointer. After Mate drew an offensive foul at the other end, Fairweather put back an offensive rebound to close the gap to 65-64. The Eagles forced a shot clock violation but could not capitalize at the other end. After Hood missed a pair of free throws, Claiborne put the Eagles up with two free throws with1:29 on the clock.

Fairweather scored in transition for a three point lead with 45 seconds to go, but the Eagles would not score again. Hood first-year Cullen Robinson got to the rim for a lay-up and then the Eagles turned it over against the press. Robinson made two free throws for the lead. Claiborne had a good look to grab the lead back, but his 3-pointer rimmed out and the Eagles had to foul.

The Eagles held Hood to 3-of-17 from distance but made only 19-of-28 free throws and finished with 28 turnovers.

The Eagles are back on the road on Wednesday at Alvernia. The Golden Wolves lost at home to Widener today.