Basketball

Eastern University 77, Delaware Valley College 70

ST. DAVIDS (PA) - Sophomore transfer Eric Lawton scored 20 points in his first game with Delaware Valley College but it wasn't enough as the Aggies dropped a 77-70, non-conference decision at Eastern University.

Lawton, who played at Neumann College last season, joined Delaware Valley at the semester break. The guard came off the bench and was 6-for-13 from the field (3-for-5 from 3-point land) and 5-for-7 from the foul line. He also added four rebounds and two assists before fouling out after 26 minutes of action.

The Aggies (3-8) trailed 30-25 late in the first half before a 7-2 run, capped by a Lawton trey, tied the game tied the game. Eastern (6-3) responded with a basket but Lawton fed Ryan Thomas for an old-fashioned three-point play and 35-34 Delaware Valley lead at the break.

The Aggies led by as many as seven in the second stanza and still held a 53-49 advantage with 13:03 to go. However, the Eagles scored eight straight to regain the lead. Delaware Valley pulled to within one on a pair of occasion, the last coming with 5:48 to go as a Jason Seipt basket made it 61-60 ballgame. Eastern responded with six straight points and the Aggies never got closer than four the rest of the way.

Zack Van Dyke notched 15 points and five rebounds while Isaiah Pinckney added 14 points in the loss. Thomas had nine points in 18 minutes.

Matt Malloy paced Eastern with 17 points and nine boards. Kevin Raab and Lenny DiMaria added 16 and 13 points respectively.