ST. DAVIDS, Pa. - Early on, the Ravens looked like the more powerful bird in this "Battle Between the Birds." Holding the lead for most of the first 39 minutes of the game, the Eastern University Eagles chipped away at the Rosemont advantage in the second half, ultimately taking the lead and holding on to defeat the Ravens by a final score of 58-55.
The non-conference game was the season opener for both teams.
The Ravens seemed to have all of the answers in the first half. The team shot a scalding 45.5% from the field compared to Eastern's 19.4% in the first term. The Ravens took their largest lead of the game, 30-15 after a layup by junior Tremell Green (Philadelphia, Pa.) with 2:47 left. The Eagles closed on a 4-0 run to put the Ravens in front by a 30-19 score at the half.
A layup and three-pointer from senior Harrison Carsillo (Collingswood, NJ) extended Rosemont's lead to 35-21 with 18:27 left. Over the next 4:41 the Ravens shooting started to go cold, and Eastern's offensive rebounds started to give the home side additional shots off of missed attempts. Over that stretch the Ravens were outscored 11-0 to move Eastern to within three points at 35-32 with 13:46 left.
The Ravens managed to keep the Eagles at bay as they held onto the lead until there was 7:13 left in the contest, when Eastern took their first lead of the contest, 44-42. The Ravens immediately answered, clawing back to a 47-44 lead with 5:29 left, but they could not put the Eagles away. The lead changed five times over the last part of this game. With 4:11 left in the game and the Ravens clinging to a 49-48 lead, Rosemont sophomore Kevin Fenstermaker (Warminster, Pa.) was called for his 5th personal foul. At the end of the play a shoving match ensued leading to two Eastern and one Rosemont technical fouls. When the dust settled the game was tied at 50-50.
Rosemont took a 53-50 lead after a pair of free throws by junior Justin Chaney (Willliamstown, NJ) with 2:29 left, but the Eagles outscored 8-2 down the stretch to tuck the game into their win column.
Harrison Carsillo led the Ravens in scoring with 14 points. Chaney also scored in double-figures (11) for Rosemont. Carsillo led the Ravens with eight boards and four blocked shots. Junior Derrick Carter (Millville, NJ) had seven rebounds for Rosemont.
Turnovers were key in this game as the Ravens committed 24 compared to Eastern's nine. Eastern's offensive rebounding also enabled the home side to attempt 18 more shots compared to the Ravens. The Raven's shooting also cooled off in the second half, shooting only 22.7% from the field in the second stanza.
The Ravens have only a short rest as they return to action on Thursday, 11/17 when they host their first game of the season. The Lancaster Bible College Chargers visit Alumnae Gym in a non-conference game that is scheduled for a 7:00 tip-off.