DOYLESTOWN (Pa.) –  The Delaware Valley University men's basketball team got a game-winning layup from junior Damian Washington as it perfectly executed an inbounds play with 0.6 seconds left in regulation to defeat Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Freedom rival Eastern University at home, 59-57.  

The Aggies improved to 5-7 overall and 1-1 in league play while the Eagles fell to 6-7 and 1-1.

DelVal led by as many as 11, 45-34, with 14:24 left in regulation, but Eastern quickly cut the deficit to three with an 11-3 run over the next five minutes, 10 seconds.

The Eagles finally drew even with 51 seconds left in regulation as William Blet hit 1-of-2 free throws to knot the score at 57-57.

Out of a timeout, the Aggies got off a long 3-pointer from Mike Cianciulli that fell short and Eastern grabbed the rebound. Down the other end, Blet was fouled and sent to the line again with just nine seconds to play.

Blet missed both shots and DelVal grabbed the board and pushed the ball up the floor. Cianciulli attempted a mid-range jumper that clanked off the rim, and went out of bounds off an Eagles player with under one second on the clock to set up the dramatic game-winner.

Head coach Mark Seidenburg called a timeout to draw up his play, and the team executed it perfectly. Sophomore Terence Johnson inbounded the ball and threaded it through the defense and into the hands of Washington who had worked his way under the basket. The junior caught the ball chest high and went right up to the rim in one motion to deposit the game-winner before the red lights came on, as the team celebrated on the floor and the home crowd erupted with joy.  

To start the game, DelVal built an 11-4 lead after just 6:39 of play as Mike Cianciulli had seven points to lead the charge. The Aggies did not relinquish the lead the rest of the game and it maintained a 30-24 lead at halftime.

Washington finished with a game-high 26 points, including five treys, and added nine rebounds and a steal. Cianciulli followed with 11 points and eight boards, and freshman Dwayne Caine, Jr. came off the bench to contribute in a big way with 10 points and three assists. DelVal's bench outscored Eastern's, 17-13, as Edward Jones chipped in five points in the effort. Johnson dished out five helpers, none bigger than the final play of the game.

Eastern was haunted by a 1-for-11 effort from 3-point land and a 12-for-26 showing from the charity stripe. Draig Ruff led the way with 13 points and Michael Bowlers posted a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Blet finished with 10 points, but was 2-for-6 from the line.

DelVal will welcome in Misericordia University on Wednesday for a 6 p.m. MAC Freedom tilt.