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ST.
DAVIDS, Pa. — Eastern University's
Matt Malloy made 15 straight free
throws in the second half on the way
to a game high 22 points as the
Eastern University Eagles earned a
trip to the PAC Semifinals with w
77-67 win over Neumann College. The
Eagles improve to 16-10 on the year,
and will travel to Alvernia on
Tuesday Night.
The Eagles jumped out to a 9-3
advantage early as four different
players scored baskets, but the
Knights responded with back to back
three pointers from Ronnie Fields
and Dehran Patrick. Five of
Neumann's seven field goals in the
first half came from behind the the
arc, and the Eagles took advantage
of the Knights 26% shooting to fore
a 33-23 lead at the break. Senior
guard Lenny DiMaria, playing in his
last home game as an Eagle, led
Eastern into the break with 8
points. Kevin Raab came off the
bench for the Eagles to finish three
inside buckets and a free throw in
the last seven minutes.
The hosts only shot three free
throws in the first half, but hit
four of six from behind the arc to
help forge the lead. David Volpe,
who hit a pair of three pointers in
the opening half, banked home a half
court shot just after time expired,
and the Eastern lead stuck at ten.
Ronnie Fields led the Knights at the
break with seven.
The second half opened with the
visitors swarming on defense,
forcing turnovers, and quickly
mounting an 11-0 run to take the
lead at 34-33. Fields started the
run with a lay up and finished it
just over three minutes later on a
long three pointer on a kick from
Nasheed Linton. On the ensuing
possession, Malloy was fouled in the
act of shooting and missed his first
free throw but stopped the Neumann
run with his second.
After a Leon Dales basket, Eastern
junior Mike Johnson was fouled on a
power move inside. Johnson hit the
pair to keep the game tied. After
Dehran Patrick made his second three
of the game to give the Knights a
39-38 lead, Malloy hit a 15 footer
to take the lead back. Fields then
answered with his third
three-pointer to lift the Knights
back to a 42-40 advantage. Malloy,
who set a career high with 16
rebounds, made both shots on a
one-and-one situation to tie the
game with eleven and a half minutes
left to start an 8-0 run that would
give the hosts the lead for good.
First year forward Jason Reels, who
started for the injured Ty Coleman,
put the Eagles in front on a nice
pass from Volpe. After building the
lead to eight, the Eagles took the
final punch from the Knights as
Michael Hitchens scored five
straight to cut the deficit to 58-57
with five minutes to play. After
empty possessions for both sides,
the Eagle broke out in transition,
and Volpe pushed the ball deep in
the lane before kicking it to Malloy
at the arc. A 45% shooter from
behind the arc on the year, Malloy
did not hesitate and drained his
only three-point attempt of the
game. Malloy said of the shot. "I
saw David get into the gut and when
my man sagged in to help I just got
my feet set and my hands ready and
David put it right there. I knew it
was in as soon as it left my hands."
Up four with four minutes to play,
the Eagles still had work to do.
Baskets from Johnson and Reels
pushed the Eagles to a 65-58 lead,
and the Eastern players made 12 of
14 free throws in the final two
minutes to earn another shot at
Alvernia. Coach Nadelhoffer was
pleased with his charges following
the game saying, "Matt was enormous
for us today. He and Johnson (12
rebounds) took care of the glass,
and it was good to see the guys step
up and hit free throws. I thought
Jason (Reels) played well in his
first playoff game. We know that he
can be this effective, and know that
he will keep getting better."
Reels finished the game with 14
points and 7 rebounds, and was
joined in double figures by DiMaria
with 15 and Volpe with 10. Johnson
picked up five assists and three
blocked shots to go with his nine
points and 12 rebounds. Fields led
the Knights with 20 points. He was
joined in double figures for the
game by Hitchens with 14, and Fritz
and Patrick with ten each. Neumann
shot 35% for the game and hit just 8
of 19 foul shots int he second half.
Eastern shot 43% for the game, but
made 28 of 31 foul shots to secure
the win.
The Eagles travel to Alvernia to
take on the defending PAC Champion
Crusaders at 7:00 Tuesday night.
BOX
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