ST. DAVID'S, PA - Friday night's tilt with Eastern University during the opening round of the Nate Ware Invitational couldn't have started off much worse for the visiting Crimson Eagles.

Following a long range triple from freshman sniper Chase Brunner to lock things at 3-all a minute into the opening frame, PBU would fail to notch a single point over the ensuing 9:30, digging themselves into an early 15-3 hole with 10 minutes to play in the first half.

Showing resilience, the visitors managed to rattle off an 11-4 spurt over the next six minutes, bringing things to 17-13 following a cold one for seven stretch from the field for Eastern. By the time the final first half horn sounded, the host group maintained a 29-22 edge.

But Eastern managed to once again balloon their margin midway thru the second stanza, skirting out to a 17 point edge (50-33) with just under nine minutes to play. Not willing to concede, PBU once again climbed the uphill battle, bringing things to 52-41 with five minutes remaining following back-to-back thefts on the defensive end for the Crimson Eagles.

However, Eastern sealed the game with several timely buckets down the stretch, ultimately posting a 13 point triumph, their second of the young season.

Although PBU forced the host squad into 37.3 percent shooting as a group for the game, the Eagles capitalized on 22 turnovers from the visitors, turning PBU's miscues into a 27-11 margin in points off the blunders. The host group also enjoyed a 16-7 margin in offensive rebounds.

Senior point guard Brett Zamroz put up career highs in both points and boards in the losing effort, manufacturing game highs of 19  and 8, respectively, in 26 minutes of work. Chase Brunner and Luke Nelson both added 8 points each.

The Crimson Eagles will face New Jersey City University on Saturday during an affair with the Gothic Knights at 1:00 pm on day two of the Invitational. NJCU fell 64-60 to Alfred University during the first game Friday evening.