YORK, Pa.– In the team's first game of the second pass through the MAC Commonwealth, Eastern University Men's Basketball (13-6, 5-3) dropped a 68-58 decision at York College. With the win, the host Spartans picked up their third straight home win over a top team in the league and closed up the already congested MAC Commonwealth standings. Jaron Fairweather scored a career-high 27 points, but the Eagles could post only a season-low 58 in the loss.

The Spartans (12-7, 5-3) opened the second half on a 16-to-5 run and despite several short Eastern runs held the advantage at two possessions or more the rest of the way. After starting the MAC Commonwealth with three losses, York has won five games in a row.

Early in the second, with York up 35-31 Zubair Lee had two chances that looked like he was going to have and-one opportunities. On the first, he was fouled on the gather and hit a spinning lay-up. The official called the foul on the ground. Seconds later. He went aggressively to the rim against York standout Kai Cipalla, who had picked up three fouls in the first half. As one official was ready to call a foul, the other sprinted in with a travel call. York came down the other end and hit a 3-pointer to go up 38-31.

Down 46-35, Fairweather scored the first five points of a 7-0 run, and the Eagles had possession. Lee agains spun middle and scored, but again a referee sprinted in. This time, to call an offensive foul. At the other end, the Eagles put in a long defensive effort, but Cipalla pitched out a pass for a 28-foot 3-pointer from Tate Landis.

The Eagles closed the gap to 50-47 on three Fairweather free throws, but a pair of Cipalla Lay-ups put the Spartans back up by multiple possessions.

The Eagles could no better than trading scores until they had two chances to pull within a single possession with less than two minutes to play. Kaeshawn Ward's 3-point attempt rimmed out. Lee delivered a big block at the other end, for a run-out opportunity.  The three-on one opportunity went unrewarded as Landis broke up with a steal.

The Spartans broke the Eastern pressure for a lay-up at the other end to effectively put the game away.

The Eagles held a couple six-point leads in the first half, but York scored the final six points of the first half after Cipalla picked up his third foul to tie the score at 28-28. Both teams made 12-of-28 from the floor. Fairweather made the only 3-pointer by either team. Fairweather and Lee each had 11 points at the break. Cipalla led York with 10.

Lee was the only other Eastern player in double figures. The sophomore forward recorded his 11th double-double of the year with 17 points and 11 assists. Eastern came into today's game averaging 82.9 points per game. 

The Spartans made only 3-of-15 from behind the arc, but converted 13-of-15 foul shots. Cipalla led York with 23 points, and Chris Miers scored 20.

The Eagles will host Widener at 8 pm Wednesday.