Eastern University Women's basketball opened their home schedule with a thrilling 90-87 win over Centenary College. The win is the first victory for first year Head Coach Nate Davis. The Eagles (1-1) had to a weather a storm as the visiting Cyclones rained 15-30 three pointers on the way back from a 21 point first half deficit. Shante Jones recorded her first triple double of the year with 22 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists.
The game started a ta break-neck pace, and was even until the Eagles put together a stunning 21-0 run to seemingly break the game open. The Eastern lead was still 20 with 5:40 to play in the opening period when Centenary's Ashley Bays began to catch fire from behind the arc. The first year guard came off the bench to score 14 points over the final five and a half minutes of the opening frame.
By the time anyone in the stands had a chance to breathe, the Cyclones had closed the gap to 50-45. Centenary hit 7-14 shots from behind the arc and buried their free throws. The Eagles, who had built their lead by capitalizing on the Cyclones 16 first half turnovers, shot 46% from the floor and a very respectable 5-13 from behind the arc. Bekah Roland led all scorers with 16 points at half.
"That's the pace I like to play at," Davis commented afterwards, "now I don't want to give up 87, but I think we were able to find offense in transition. We will need to do a better job of shutting down a shooter than we did. Nonetheless, I am really proud of the team's fight. We gave up the big lead, and they came back and took the lead in the second half, but our people stepped up and made big plays."
The second half, like the first was riveting. Bays picked up right where she left off with a pair of triples to tie the game. She finished the night shooting 10-16 behind the arc and tied Roland for game-high honors with 32. The Eagles built the lead to five on baskets from Jones and Jess Ogden, but Bays answered with another three.
The Eagles put together several solid possessions to take a 65-59 lead with 13 minutes to play, but the visitors answered with an 8-1 run of free throws to take a one point edge. Centenary shot 77% from the line for the game, while the Eagles left several points on the table with a 48% night from the line.
The lead changed hands several times over the next few minutes until the Eagles took the lead for good on a three pointer in transition from Roland with 6:16 on the clock. Roland made 12-18 shots and 3-4 from behind the arc in a very efficient night.
"I really like playing with Bekah," Jones said afterwards, "She runs the floor every time, and she makes good decision. I like her game. I honestly thought she had more, 'cuz it seemed like every time we needed a big shot she hit one."Jones hit her share of big shots down the stretch as well. The junior finished a tough driving lay-up with 15 seconds left and the shot clock running down. After she secured her 10th board of the evening on a missed free throw, she split a pair from the line for the final margin.
First year guard Katie Lincoln battled foul trouble the second half, but finished with 13 points and 7 assists, and Demacia Gilbert scored 10 points off the bench. Jen Vasta missed a triple double for the Cyclones with 20 points 10 assists and nine boards, and Hannah Ally added 16 for the guests.
When asked what she was thinking about over the final minutes of the game, Jones said, "Do not leave five open. Do not leave five open, play smart and get to the rim. I was really hoping we could get this win." Roland, Jones, and Davis each talked about the hope that the young Eagles will be able to settle into offensive rhythm a little better, and they each identified that there would be work on closing down shooters forthcoming.
In the end, the new era of Eastern Women's Basketball opened in St. Davids with a game that was full of excitement and energy. The Eagles are away at Penn State Brandywine on Saturday and at Rosemont on Tuesday. They return home on Nov. 29th against Arcadia.