WASHINGTON, D.C. – The TCNJ women's basketball team wrapped up the 2023 portion of its schedule with a 57-51 loss to Eastern in a Tuesday matinee, its second and final contest at Catholic's Jamie Lynn Roberts Fairfield Inn D.C. Holiday Classic.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Eagles came out red-hot, making 8 of 13 attempts in the first quarter and opening up a lead of 11 points (17-6) before settling on a 21-13 advantage at the end of the period
• TCNJ turned to its defense to begin climbing back into the game, holding Eastern scoreless for the first four minutes of the second period and getting within 21-19 on a Nina Branchizio 3-pointer off a kick-out from Myah Hourigan-Hutton
• After Arianna McCleod swished a long jumper, Katie Fricker slashed to the hoop for a basket and the foul, and her three-point play gave the Lions their first lead of the afternoon at 24-23 with 3:44 to go in the half
• TCNJ added to its lead when Grace Kowalski stepped in front of a backdoor pass and fed ahead for a transition lay-in by Isabella Cafaro. Kowalski's floater marked the final points of the half as the Lions took a 28-23 lead into the locker room.
• The Eagles ended a six-minute scoreless spell with the first four points of the third to get within 28-27, then used an 8-0 run to grab a 35-30 lead and force a TCNJ timeout at the 4:58 mark of the quarter
• Branchizio knocked down a long-range 3-pointer from the left wing to snap a six-minute field-goal drought, but TCNJ went cold again and trailed 44-37 after Eastern notched the first four points of the fourth quarter
• Izzy Leazier's three-point play made it 44-40 with 8:27 to go and, after an Eastern bucket, Leazier buried a corner 3 off a drive and kick by Kowalski to cut the lead to 46-43 with 6:01 to go
• Eastern countered with five straight points to go up 51-43, but Kowalski splashed a deep 3 and TCNJ forced a 10-second call in the back-court before Kowalski drilled a step-back jumper to get within three
• The Lions forced three straight turnovers but were unable to cash in, and the Eagles went up 53-48 on a lay-up
• Eastern upped the lead to 54-48 on a free throw with 36.8 seconds left, but Setaro answered with a 3 to halve the deficit
• The Eagles missed two free throws on the other end, giving the Lions a chance to tie or get within one. TCNJ went for the tie, but Setaro had her 3-point attempt blocked and Eastern made it 55-51 with 12.3 seconds to go. The Eagles missed the second foul shot but grabbed the rebound and got fouled, making both to go up 57-51 with 8.4 ticks showing

FOR THE FOES

• Miranda Liebtag had 17 points and 11 rebounds and Taryn Woodson also notched a double-double with 13 points and 10 boards
• Jeriyah Johnson finished with 14 points
• Eastern shot 43.8 percent (21-for-48) and held a 43-32 edge on the glass

STANDOUT LIONS

• Kowalski led the Lions for the second game in a row, totaling 11 points along with five rebounds
• Leazier had 10 points, five rebounds, and three assists, while Branchizio netted nine points and five boards
• Setaro had eight points, and Fricker paired seven points with five rebounds
• TCNJ shot just 30.6 percent overall (19-for-62) and 20.0 percent from 3-point range (7-of-35)

NOTES

• TCNJ's defense was spectacular in the second quarter. Eastern managed only two points in the frame, going 1-for-12 from the floor, and failed to score for the final 5:54. Eastern returned the favor in the third, limiting the Lions to a 2-for-15 effort from the field.
• Tuesday's meeting was the first all-time between the teams

UP NEXT

• TCNJ opens 2024 with a game at Swarthmore on Wednesday, January 3. Tip is set for 5 p.m.