ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. -- Although it was the first time in 16 years that it wasn't a conference contest, the Embry-Riddle/Flagler rivalry still remains one of the fiercest in the nation of all divisions and affiliations.  From the start of the game with the fans of both squads in a frenzy, the teams battled as though the Florida Sun Conference title was on the line, but instead they were playing for something more important -- the pride each program has established over the years.

Embry-Riddle mounted a historic comeback, but comebacks are synonomous with this series as both teams have battled back from huge halftime deficits to go on and record victory.  This evening it was the Eagles turn to surge from an 11-point halftime deficit to pull off the 83-78 road win in what is the lone meeting of the two teams this season. 

In the first half, Flagler (1-4) gained the upperhand at the 11:12 mark of the first half and maintained the lead pushing it to double figures with a 7-0 run in the final 1:28 of the half securing a 42-31 lead at the break.  ERAU's defense known for limiting the opposition to under 40.0 percent shooting ran into a hot-shooting Saints' squad that converted 16-of-28 from the floor (57.1 percent) and 4-of-10 from downtown (40.0 percent).

There was a little controversy during the halftime intermission when the official scoreboard displayed a 42-30 halftime score after crediting Denver Cobb with only one made free throw on a technical foul by Flagler's J.P. Clark at the 3:12 mark when he actually made both free throws.  After reviewing the video tape at halftime, the referees awarded the additional point which would prove to be critical down the stretch.   

With an already pumped up Flagler faithful, the first-half precision offense brought the decibel level to new heights with the 1,527 in attendance and it continued into the start of the second half when the Saints extended their lead to 51-36 at the 17:31 mark. 

However, as is the case when either team holds a big lead in this series the trailing team always makes a run, this time the Eagles (6-1) mounted the comeback sparked by a a three-point shooting clinic outscoring Flagler 30-13 over the next minutes to gain a 66-64 lead with 8:26 remaining.  After going 0-for-5 from long distance in the first half, ERAU hit 6-of-13 in the run with two from Cobb and Ryan Exter, and one from Denny Joseph and Drew Whitaker.  It was the first Eagle lead since a 16-13 advantage at the 12:51 mark of the first half.

The teams traded leads over the next two minutes before Daniel Marsh's layup at the 5:01 mark gave Flager a four-point lead 74-70.  The Eagles battled back once again taking a 76-74 lead at the 3:39 mark.  Lee Wise's jumper tied the game 10 seconds later and then Joseph hit one of two from the charity stripe to lead 77-76 with 2:54 left.

The lead was short-lived as Marsh's jumper 30 seconds later gave the Saints a 78-77 advantage.  Nick Miller tied the game at 78 hitting one of two free throws and then Joseph split a pair giving ERAU the lead for good after the Eagle defense came up huge.  Murat Hisarkaya came up huge stealing an entry pass on the next Flagler possession. The Blue and Gold gave the ball back on their trip down the floor and then Bryan Borstelmann missed the front end of a one-and-one free throw wth 1:04 to go. 

Exter drove the lane, but his layup was blocked by Sam Jozenville with 23 seconds to go and then after timeout with 17 seconds.  Trailing 79-78, the Saints looked in control with a chance to hold for the last shot and win the game, but the ERAU defense came up huge once again on Marsh's entry pass to Ben De La Cruz, Nick Miller poked out the pass to Ryan Ridder who was fouled with 8.2 seconds.  Ridder who hadn't gone to the charity stripe in six games prior calmly toed the line and sank both free throws giving the Eagles an 81-78 lead.  Wise missed a quality three-point attempt with one second and then fouled Exter with 0.3 seconds and he sank both to close out the game 83-78.

Miller led the way for the Eagles with 14 points, five boards, three blocks and the critcal steal, Exter and Cobb added 12 apiece, while Tyler DeBord and Joseph each finished with 11 points.  Marsh and Jozenville led the Saints with 18 points apiece.