The Albright College men's basketball team fought off a second half Eastern run to defeat the Eagles 87-79, Saturday in the Bollman Center.
Senior Pedro Perez had another big day for Albright, converting 7-of-12 shots for 21 points and nine rebounds. Sophomore Evan Ward was also 7-of-12 from the field, and finished with 15 points.
Senior Kyle Jordan made 7-of-9 shots for 17 points, while freshman Sameen Swint was also in double-figures with 10 points. Sophomore Calvert Gantz chipped in with eight points, seven boards and a game-high five blocks.
For the game, Albright shot 58.9% from the floor, and 60% (6-of-10) from behind the arc. The Lions overcame a 22-7 turnover disparity against an Eastern team that shot 42.3% from the field and 29.4% from downtown.
Jordan gave Albright a 43-36 lead early in the second half on the fast break, and Sam Marrella followed on the break for a 50-37 Albright advantage with 16:41 to play.
Eastern ripped off an 11-0 run at that point, in a stretch that saw both Jordan and Perez pick up their fourth fouls with almost 13 minutes still remaining on the clock.
Ward helped the Lions battle, breaking the slump with a tough put-back to make it 52-48. He then earned two and-one opportunities in under a minute, making the second free throw for a 59-56 Albright lead.
Johnathan Amoroso, in his first game back with the Lions, stole a pass and went the other way for a 63-58 Albright lead. Gantz's fast break dunk tied it at 73-all after Eastern had edged into the lead, and Perez sank a corner three for a 78-75 advantage.
Eastern came out pressing at the start of the game. The Eagles forced a steal and Malcolm Garrison sank a transition three-pointer for an early 7-2 lead.
The Lions got their press break in order, taking an 8-7 lead on Jordan's third-chance basket. Some great movement on another press break ended with Jordan feeding Ward for a 20-16 lead.
Perez stole a pass and went coast-to-coast for a three-point play and a 23-16 lead. He soon added two three-pointers for a 33-25 advantage.
Gantz's and-one made it 38-30, and a nice drive from freshman Josh Marquez pushed the score to 40-30. The Lions would go into the locker room with a 40-34 lead.
Freshman Shaquan Turk had his third consecutive big offensive output off the bench for Eastern- scoring 26 points on 10-of-14 shooting.
Albright improves to 6-5 and will play a fifth consecutive home game on Wednesday against Stevenson.