BRIDGEWATER, Va. — Ricky Easterling scored a game-high 24 points to pace four Bridgewater College players in double fugures and lead the Eagles to an 81-75 victory over Roanoke College in ODAC action Wednesday night.
The Eagles led by four, 35-31, at the half and stretched the lead to 10 points three times early in the second half but each time the Maroons fought back.
Bridgewater led 70-60 with 4:31 left in the game, but Josh LaPorte worked inside and converted a three-point play to pull the Maroons within seven.
A 3-pointer by Roanoke's Robbie Winfield cut the margin to four, 70-64, with 2:58 remaining, but the Maroons were unable to pull closer.
After a missed jumper by the Eagles, Roanoke had a chance to pull within one, but Tee Jackson's 3-pointer rattled out and Zach Butler controlled the boards for the Eagles. Butler was then fouled at the offensive end and hit both free throws, making the score 72-66.
The Maroons turned the ball over Matt Fitzgerald hit one-of-two free throws for the Eagles to push the margin to seven, 75-68. A jumper by Jared Butler pulled the Maroons to within five with 39 seconds left but Ashby Tarkington hit two free throws and Josh Maupin added a layup to clinch the victory for the Eagles.
Easterling's output pushed the BC standout past the 1,500-point mark for his career. Easterling is No. 8 on the all-time scoring list at Bridgewater with 1,513 points. Tarkington and Clay Michael each scored 16 points and Maupin added 10.
The Eagles improved to 16-7 overall and 11-5 in the ODAC.
Roanoke, now 14-9 overall and 8-8 in the conference was led by Kevinn Hunter's 17 points. Jackson scored 16, followed by Winfield with 14 and Butler with 10.
