Eastern University's Emily Lavin, A Versatile Talent

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The Division III Eastern University women's basketball team picked up a key home win last night, beating King's College, 60-52, in St. David's. The victory moved the Eagles back to .500 at 11-11 and kept them in the mix for a playoff spot in the Freedom Conference.

Junior forward Emily Lavin led the way for the Eagles in the win with 15 points and 10 rebounds.

"Definitely, a big win," Lavin tells KYW Newsradio. "I would say not only for the standings, playoff-wise, but for our confidence as a team. We've hit a rough patch in the middle and I think this is our chance to turn(over) a new leaf and finish this season strong."

Listen to the entire interview with Eastern's Emily Lavin

This was the latest in a season's worth of big performance for the 6'1" Lavin. She averages 15.4 points and 9.8 rebounds a game and is also among the nation's leaders in blocked shots with 89. She has nine double-doubles to her credit after Wednesday night and also one very impressive triple-double. On November 24th, in a win over Messiah, Lavin put together a stat line of 26 points, 12 rebounds and 11 blocks. The 11 blocked shots set a program single-game record. Lavin talks about what allows her to be so skilled in the art of rejection.

"Definitely my length, obviously, and I can jump," Lavin says. "But I'm put in the position where I can block shots and my coaches work with me every day trying not to foul."

Lavin spends her time in the post, but when you watch her play, you see she is much more than just someone who can dominate down low. She runs the floor well, has quick hands and is adept as passing the ball out of the post to find the open shooter.

Eastern head coach Eric Houston was an assistant for the Eagles when he recruited Lavin out of Middletown North High School in Monmouth County, New Jersey. He keeps it simple when talking about what he saw in Lavin in high school.

"Talent," Houston tells KYW Newsradio. "Definitely a kid that I knew would come in and help out our program moving forward. She has a very good skill set, she's still growing as a player and things that she's doing out there on the floor, I'm not very surprised of. She definitely gives it 100% when she's out there on the court and she plays with a great sense of urgency."

Listen to the entire interview with Eastern's Eric Houston

Lavin has played a key role for the Eagles since the day she arrived on campus and she says she's grown at the college level.

"Honestly, I think I've grown mentally," Lavin says. "I remember my first practice, I was like, 'Whoa, this is so much more serious.' And I loved it. I thrived off that. But as a freshman I would have some setbacks mentally, I was always too hard on myself. So I think just throughout my time here, I've grown to just go to the next play. Every time I look at the bench, my coaches are saying, 'Next play, next play.'"

Houston says the sky is the limit for Lavin going forward.

"Anything is possible with her," Houston says. "She can go beyond, and I really affirm that, I tell her that all the time, that she can go beyond what her abilities are. The great thing about it is, not even in basketball, but off the court, she's an awesome person, too."

Lavin and the Eagles will host Manhattanville College on Saturday.