OWINGS MiILLS, Md.– For the third straight game, Eastern University Women's Basketball came up on the short end of a defensive struggle in the MAC Commonwealth. Jeriyah Johnson scored a game-high 28 points, but the Eagles made only 27 percent from the floor in a 62-53 loss at Stevenson University. The host Mustangs (5-10, 2-2) closed out the game on a 10-to-4 run to break open what was, for most of the day a one-possession game.

Despite struggling from the floor, Eastern (5-10, 0-4) held a 23-22 halftime lead. Johnson led all scorers with 13 points at the break. Through the first 20 minutes, the Eagles made only 6-of-30 (20 %) from the floor. Against tough pressure from the Mustangs, they were only able to attempt 10 shots int he second quarter, that pressure, however, gave the Eagles opportunity at the foul line where they converted to hold the lead.

The game opened up in the third quarter. Both teams finished at the rim and got to the foul line. Stevenson's Anaya Price scored at the buzzer to put the hosts up 42-40 heading to the final frame.

After the teams traded baskets early, the Mustangs scored and got a stop to lead 46-42 and had the ball. Sophia Vera came up with a steal and had a chance to close the lead back, but her lay-up attempt rimmed out. While Stevenson scored the next four points to build their lead to 50-42, the Eagles had one more push.

Madeline Wylie dropped in a short jump shot and Adrianna Summersett converted an and-one chance to bring the Eagles back to within three. After two Stevenson free throws, Ariyana Hester drove and finished through contact for a chance to pull within two. After her free throw missed, the Eagles earned another stop and had a chance to pull within one or tie with a long shot.

In the half court, Johnson slipped and fell and Price went the distance for an uncontested lay-up. Price, who also scored 28 in the game, put Stevenson up 57-49 with a 3-pointer with 72 seconds on the clock.

Summersett finished with nine points and Vera had eight. The Eagles will travel to Messiah to take on the defending champion Falcons on Wednesday night. Today the Falcons bounced back from a midweek loss at Albright with a 50-49 win over York.