February 14, 2005
St. Davids, PA - Eastern men's basketball (9-16, 7-9 PAC) concluded their regular season schedule tonight with a 76-48 win over the visiting Knights of Arcadia University. The Eagles controlled this victory from the opening tip when sophomore Lenny Dimaria (Lincroft, NJ/Middletown South) hit six of six from behind the arc in the first ten minutes of play to put the Eagles up 16 out of the gate. With the win, the Eagles will now have to wait to find out their post-season fate as Neumann College has two games remaining to steal the sixth and final playoff spot from the Eagles.
The first half was highlighted by the red-hot Dimaria, but senior Brent Voorhees (Grandville, MI/Tri-Unity Christian) also contributed with nine points on 50% shooting, and pulled in a team-high five first half boards. Eastern had Arcadia running like crazy finding open shot after open shot. The Eagles dished out 13 assists on their 18 first half field goals.
The Eagles started the second half on a 10-0 run before Arcadia's Eric Elliott hit two free throws to get the Knights to 18 total points. Arcadia's first field goal came at the 11:52 mark when Justin McCuen hit one of his three 3-pointers of the night, but the Eagle lead now stood at 35. McCuen led all Knight scorers with 17 points and pulled down 4 rebounds.
The Eagles end the regular season with an impressive win on a great offensive and defensive effort. Eastern shot 62% in the first half and ended at 55%, while holding Arcadia on the defensive end to 33% for the game.
The PAC post-season starts this Saturday, February 19th, and if the Eagles advance, they will be traveling to either Gwynedd-Mercy College or Alvernia College.