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Center Valley, PA (January 21, 2012) – Five players reached double digits and the DeSales University men's basketball team shot an impressive 51.1 percent from the field but the Bulldogs committed 16 turnovers as compared to just five for Eastern University in an 80-75 loss to the Eagles in Freedom Conference action on Saturday afternoon.

The 11 turnover margin between the two teams led to 15 more shots for the Eagles (11-5, 4-2 Freedom), who shot just 43.5 percent from the field, but were able to out-score the Bulldogs (8-8, 2-4 Freedom), who only attempted 47 shots as compared to 62 for EU in the game.  Both teams shot well from three-land, combining for 17 three's, nine for Eastern, eight for DeSales, and both team lit it up from the charity stripe with DSU hitting 86.4 percent (19-of-22) and Eastern connecting at a 81.0 percent clip (17-of-21).

Sophomore Kyle Hash led the Bulldogs charge with 15 points, junior Brett Moyer had 14 points and was just one rebound shy of a double-double with nine caroms, and senior Bob Zanneo added 14 points off the bench.  Sophomore Paul Pammer finished with 12 points and sophomore Mike Coleman totaled 11 points, six rebounds, and six assists in the loss.

Senior Alex Nelson totaled 24 points, 20 of which came in the second-half, senior Michael Donatoni added 22 points and did not commit a turnover in 33 minutes at the point, and senior Collin Whipple had 16 points and seven assists in the win for Eastern.

DeSales dominated the first 10 minutes of the game, racing out to a 24-13 lead after a lay-up from freshman Michael Guldin at the 9:49 mark of the first-half.  Eastern immediately called timeout and out of the timeout took control.

After trading three-pointers on the next two possessions, Eastern used a 14-0 run over the next 5:42 to take a 31-26 lead with 2:42 left to play as the lead swelled to seven points (37-30) at the break.  Whipple was the catalyst for Eastern in the opening half with 14 of his 16 points.

DeSales spent nearly the entire second half chipping away at the lead, but every time it got close, Eastern seemed to have an answer.  Consecutive three's from Zanneo at the 13 minute mark cut the lead down to six, but Nelson had the answer on the other end with a four-point play, knocking down a three while being fouled.

The deficit was 11 at the 9:21 mark when a 9-2 run led by Moyer and Hash cut the margin down to four points (65-61) with 5:26 to go.  Back and forth action saw DSU get within one possession with under a minute to play with possession but a wide open look from the left-wing for Zanneo behind the arc was short and two Donatoni free throws pushed the lead back to five with 1:09 remaining.

From there DSU was forced to foul down the stretch and Eastern made good at the line, hitting 6-of-8 over the final 51 seconds to provide the final margin.

The loss leaves DeSales one-game behind four teams in the Freedom standings tied for third place making Wednesday's home game with Manhattanville College a very important game.  DSU returns to action prior to Wednesday however traveling cross-town to take on local rival Muhlenberg College beginning at 7:30 pm.