OWINGS MILLS, Md. - Despite an even first half on Monday night, a lopsided third quarter in favor of the host Stevenson Mustangs proved costly for Eastern Women's Basketball in an 82-50 loss. The Eagles trailed by just four points at the break, but the Mustangs outscored Eastern 30-9 in the third frame to pull away and ultimately secure the victory. 

Jeriyah Johnson led the Eagles with 15 points, her 11th straight double-digit scoring performance this season, to go along with five rebounds, three assists, and three steals. Trinity Upton recorded 12 points, her fourth double-digit scoring effort in Eastern's last six contests, as well as a team-high eight boards. Tyerra Jarvis scored a career-high eight points, while Stephanie White also chipped in eight points to go along with four rebounds. 

After an early Stevenson surge gave the Mustangs an 8-2 lead, Eastern cut the advantage to two on a layup from White and a jumper from Upton. The Mustangs built their lead back up to six at the 4:19 mark, but Johnson followed with her first triple to make it 12-9. Stevenson again pushed its advantage back to five with 2:28 remaining in the frame. Eastern followed with a five-point run as White hit a layup and Jarvis knocked down a pair of free throws to make a 14-13 Stevenson lead with 2:03 left. Jarvis hit two more down at the end of the quarter, but the Mustangs led at the quarter break 18-15. 

Stevenson opened the quarter with six straight points, three points each from Stephenae Lawrence and Janiya Ennis, before Upton broke the Eastern scoring drought with a fastbreak layup. Upton sparked a 7-0 run for the Eagles as her basket was followed by a Dominique Geiger free throw, a layup from Sanej Tyler, and a jumper from Johnson. Eastern cut the lead to 26-25 on an Upton triple, but Tessa Boswell knocked down a three of her own to push the Mustangs' advantage back to four. Johnson made it one possession game with 3:05 remaining in the half, but the offense proceeded to grow cold until late in the third quarter. 

Including the end of the second half, the Mustangs scored 13 consecutive points, and held Eastern off the scoreboard until midway through the third frame. Upton broke the scoreless drought with a triple, but the Mustangs continued to shoot lights out, building their advantage to 25 heading into the fourth quarter. Stevenson shot a remarkable 12-for-19 (63.1 percent) from the field and four-for-six (66.6 percent) from distance. Eastern, conversely, shot just three-of-16 in the third quarter. 

The Mustangs used that momentum to carry them through the rest of the contest. The gap never fell below 20, and Stevenson continued their strong play en route to a 32-point triumph.

Four players finished in double-digits for the Mustangs, led by Ennis' 13, which came on five-of-10 shooting and three-of-five from beyond the arc. Erin Dixon finished with 11 points, while Boswell and Elia Richardson each chipped in 10 points, with Boswell leading the team with eight boards. 

Eastern (2-19, 1-9) will return to The NEST on Wednesday afternoon for its second-last home game of the season. The Eagles will take on the Alvernia Golden Wolves beginning at 7:00 pm.