FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – Eastern University shot 55.2 percent (32-58) from the floor and scored 46 points in the paint to produce a 79-76 victory over the Washington and Lee men's basketball team on Saturday evening in the opening game of the Hyatt Place Tip-Off Tournament hosted by Mary Washington.
The Generals (1-1) led by as many as eight points (25-17) in the first half, but the Eagles (3-1) clawed their way back, eventually tying the game at 39-39 heading into the halftime break.
W&L held a slim 48-46 lead after first-year guard
Sam Wise (Winchester, Va. / John Handley) split a pair of free throws with 13:39 left in the contest. However, the Eagles used a 13-2 run over the next 4:55 to assume a 59-50 lead with 8:16 remaining.
The Generals slowly chipped away at their deficit, eventually cutting it to a one-point game (77-76) following a three-pointer by junior guard
William Brueggeman (Houston, Texas / Strake Jesuit College Prep) with just 1:02 remaining in the contest. W&L forced a missed three-pointer on the next possession, but turned the ball over with just 17 seconds remaining. The Blue & White fouled with seven seconds remaining, sending sophomore guard Draig Ruff to the line with seven seconds left. He made 1-of-2 free throws and the Generals rebounded the miss. However, Brueggeman was whistled for an offensive foul with just one second left and the Eagles added another tally at the free throw line in posting the three-point victory.
Washington and Lee shot 43.5 percent (30-69) from the floor, but could not offset 18 turnovers and the Eagles' scoring in the paint.
Brueggeman led the way with 22 points and nine rebounds, hitting 8-of-16 from the floor and 6-of-10 from beyond the arc. Junior forward
Curtis Mitchell (Chevy Chase, Md. / Georgetown Prep) added 15 points and nine boards, while first-year
Cheick Toure (Silver Spring, Md. / Sandy Spring Friends School) notched 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting. Senior guard
Kevin Dennin (Severna Park, Md. / Severn School) chipped in 11 points and Wise tallied five points and five assists.
Senior forward Michael Bowlers paced the Eagles with 24 points and nine rebounds, shooting 12-of-16 from the floor. Ruff posted 13 points and six boards, while senior guard Clifton Adams notched 12 points on 4-of-5 shooting.
Washington and Lee will now play in Sunday's consolation game at 1:00 pm. The Generals will take on either the host Eagles or the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.
