ST. DAVIDS, Pa. - Despite a poor offensive showing in the first two quarters, Eastern Women's Basketball rode a strong second half on its way to a 57-44 win over the Hood College Blazers. Wynter Bess, Camila Sosa, Miranda Liebtag, and Jakaylah Holland were all recognized before the game for their commitment and contributions to the program, and all played a role in Eastern's fifth conference win of the season.

Junior forward Taryn Woodson led the Eagles with 16 points and 12 rebounds to record her 13th double-double of the season, while Bess collected her first with 13 points and 10 rebounds, which included a team-high three triples. Jeriyah Johnson was the Eagles' second-leading scorer with 15 points to go along with six rebounds and three steals, while Liebtag had a solid all-around game with five points, nine boards, three assists, and three steals.

Eastern struggled to put the ball in the basket over the first two quarters, making just six of their 32 field goals attempts. Baskets from Holland and Johnson put the Eagles 4-3 halfway through the period, but the Blazers scored the final nine points of the frame to pull ahead 11-4 at the break.

In the second quarter, While they still had trouble finding consistent offense in the second, the Eagles slowly got themselves back into the game. Bess started the rally with a basket and a pair of free throws, before Woodson scored on a tough layup. Hood's Na'Vaye Quarles hit a three to push the Blazers' advantage back out to six, but another basket from Woodson and a three from Sosa made it 16-15 Hood at halftime.

After trading point early in the third quarter, the Eagles took the lead for good on a layup from Johnson and a triple from Sosa, and Liebtag followed with a basket of her own to make it a 24-18 Eastern advantage. The two teams continued to battle as Hood tied it up at 29-29 with 2:28 left in the quarter. However, a crucial three-point play for Woodson, followed by back-to-back threes from Liebtag and Johnson, put the Eagles ahead 38-31 heading into the final quarter.

Bess opened the final quarter with a three, and the Eagles' lead never dipped below eight points the rest of the way. In the third and fourth quarters, Eastern shot 15-of-36 from the field and a scorching seven-of-12 from beyond the arc. Johnson, Woodson, and Bess combined for 34 points in the final two frames.

"We needed to pull away from Hood a lot sooner and need to clean up our first halves, but it was great to get the win on Senior Day for Miranda, Wynter, Jakaylah, and Camila," Eastern Head Coach Sarah Fowler said. "We're going to stay motivated for our last two games and keep our hopes of making the playoffs alive."

Eastern (9-13, 5-7) returns to The NEST on Tuesday for its home finale against Albright College. Tip-off is set for 7:00 pm.