SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (Dec. 28, 2007) – With 10th-ranked Puget Sound cruising along with a second half lead in excess of 20 points it would have been very easy for the Edgewood College Eagles to throw in the towel on Friday night at the Tom Byron Classic in Santa Barbara, California. However, the resilient Eagles refused to fold and managed to put a scare into the undefeated Loggers, before falling 93-80.

Trailing 61-39 with just over 15 minutes remaining, Edgewood College (3-6) reeled off a wild 27-7 run over the next nine minutes of play, cutting the lead to 68-66, stunning Puget Sound (7-0). Freshman John Schuster keyed the rally scoring 10 of his season-high 12 points during the run, including a pair of three-point baskets, the last of which cut the Loggers’ lead to two points. Schuster also notched a career-best eight assists.

After a Puget Sound three-pointer, senior Charlie Averkamp scored a lay-up to cut the lead back to 71-68, but the Loggers would score 10 of the game’s next 11 points to push the margin back as high as 15 points.

Junior Chris DeMarco went 11-for-15 from the field and finished with a team-high 24 points and eight rebounds. Averkamp matched DeMarco’s eight rebounds and scored 15 points. Schuster and Aaron Ritschard each scored 12 points. The Eagles were hot from the field shooting 59.6 percent (34-for-57), but struggled mightily at the free throw line making just eight of 21 shots (38.1 percent).

Puget Sound was led by Robert Krauel who came off the bench to score 26 points and grab seven rebounds.

Edgewood College will settle for the consolation game at the Tom Byron Classic on Saturday night. They will face the loser of the game between Baruch College (N.Y.) and Westmont College (Calif.), the tournament host. Game time will be at 7:30 p.m. Central time.