ST. DAVIDS, PA. – The Wilkes University Colonels traveled to the Eastern University Eagles Friday night for a Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom (MAC Freedom) showdown.
 
The Colonels (8-7, 1-3 MACF) comeback efforts at the end of the second period fell just short in the 67-62 defeat to the Eagles (8-7, 3-1), who shot 50.0% from the field on the evening.
 
The two conference foes kept close in the first five minutes of the game, with the Eagles holding a slight 8-6 lead.  An 8-2 run gave the Eagles a 16-8 lead at the halfway point of the first period.  The Colonels would finish the half strong thanks to three-pointers from sophomore guard Sean Coller (Hershey, PA/Hershey) and layups and rebounds from junior forward Derek Heiserman (Lansdale, PA/North Penn).  The two would combine for 12 of the Colonels 21 points in a 21-8 run to close the half with a 29-24 lead.
 
The Colonels would maintain their five-point advantage through the first five minutes of the second period, before Eastern's shooters went hot.  The Eagles would reply with a 15-4 run where they missed only one field goal to take a 47-38 lead.  The Colonels would eventually cut down the lead to 61-58 with 1:19 left to play thanks to shooting 4-of-7 beyond the arc, and take advantage of an offensive rebound off of a missed free throw with another Coller three to close within one with 0:40 left to play.
 
The Eagles would claim a rebound off of a missed Eastern free throw to keep their lead intact on their way to a 67-62 victory.
 
Coller led all Colonels with 15 points and three steals.  He also posted four assists, trailing only senior guard Rob Pecorelli's (Huntington, NY/Harborfields) five for the team lead.  Pecorelli and senior guard Mark Mullins (Binghamton, NY/Chenango Valley) both posted nine points on the night. 
 
The Colonels look to bounce back next Wednesday with a conference affair at the Marts Center.  They host crosstown rival King's at 6:00 p.m. and lead the series in the live stats era 11-7.