(Posted February 7, 2007)

ELIZABETHTOWN, Pa. - A strong defensive effort in the second half and double-doubles from Chris Jasiota (Oil City/Oil City) and Aaron Chamberlain (Tussey Mountain/Wood) helped the Juniata College men\'s basketball team earn its fourth straight Commonwealth Conference victory as the Eagles topped Elizabethtown College 63-51 Wednesday night. The victory keeps Juniata (13-9, 7-4 Commonwealth) in good position to earn a berth in the Commonwealth postseason as the Eagles entered the night in a three-way tie for second place in the conference. Jasiota scored a game-high 15 points and also pulled down 14 rebounds to help Juniata take control of the game in the second half. After leading by two at halftime, Elizabethtown still held a one-point edge after a Kris Kieres three with 13:15 remaining in the game. Juniata answered with a 10-0 run, highlighted by six points from Chamberlain that put Juniata on top by nine with 11:21 remaining. The Blue Jays whittled the lead back down to three on three separate occasions, but each time Juniata answered with a basket. The Blue and Gold defense then clamped down as the Eagles held Elizabethtown to just two free throws over the final 5:55 to pull away for the 12-point victory. Kieres scored 14 points for Elizabethtown (8-13, 3-8 Commonwealth) which was limited to 23 percent shooting and just seven field goals in the second half. Juniata, meanwhile shot 54 percent in the second stanza and dominated the home team on the boards, outrebounding Elizabethtown 46-29 on the game. Chamberlain finished with a career-high 10 rebounds to earn his first double-double of the season. The Eagles started out quickly in the first half, racing out to an eight-point advantage after a Neil Holloway (Tussey Mountain/Saxton) hoop midway through the first half. Elizbahtown answered with a 14-2 run, capped by five-straight points from Brian Goodwin to take the lead 22-18. The lead went back-and-forth two more times, with the Blue Jays pulling in front by as many as five, before taking a two-point lead into halftime. Jasiota matched his season high with the 14 rebounds while shooting 7-of-11 from the floor. He also blocked three shots. Brian Cannon (Fallston/Fallston, Md.) was also in double figures for the Eagles with 13 points, while also grabbing eight rebounds. Chamberlain and Kyle Opitz (Pine-Richland/Gibsonia) each passed out four assists to lead the team. Kieres knocked down four of Elizabethtown\'s seven three pointers in the game to earn his 14 points. Luke Ledyard added 12 points and team-high six rebounds for the Blue Jays. Goodwin finished with eight points while leading the team with four assists. Juniata will return to action on Saturday with a home game against Lebanon Valley College. Juniata will also recognize its four seniors prior to the game. ###

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