MONTCLAIR, N.J. --- The Moravian College men's basketball team saw a 13-point second half lead dwindle to a single point before holding on for a 74-72 victory over Brooklyn College on the second day of the Ollie Gelston Classic hosted by Montclair State University.
The Greyhounds, who won their second straight to improve to 2-1 on the season, had three players in double figures led by senior forward Brandon McGuire with his third double-double of the season of 24 points and 17 rebounds to go along with a career-high five blocked shots and a pair of steals. McGuire was also selected as the tournament's Most Valuable Player. Sophomore guard Jimmy Murray, who earned a spot on the All-Tournament Team, and freshman guard C.J. Barnes each had 11 points with Barnes adding six rebounds and a pair of assists.
Sophomore forward Oneil Holder contributed eight points; seven rebounds and three assists while senior guard Sean Hanna had seven points, three assists and two boards. Sophomore forward Jake McGee added four points and three rebounds while junior guard Matt Cardonne, sophomore guard Will Brazukas and freshman guard Elijah Davis each netted three points. McGee had three rebounds while Brazukas added three assists and Cardonne had two assists. Senior guard Isaiah Jennings had two assists and two rebounds.
Brooklyn scored the opening basket of the game before Moravian scored six straight to build a 6-2 lead on a lay-up from McGee 2:19 into the contest. Brooklyn came back and moved in front before a lay-up from McGuire had the Greyhounds leading 20-18 with just under 11 minutes to play in the first half. McGuire would give the Blue and Grey the lead for good at 22-20 a minute and a half later, and Moravian stretched the advantage to nine points five times before heading to the locker room with a 46-38 edge on a late three-pointer by Hanna to end the opening 20 minutes of action.
The Greyhounds had their lead go down to three points before a 12-2 run pushed Moravian's edge to 60-47 with 13:32 to play after a three-pointer by Barnes. Brooklyn slowly closed the gap with a 16-3 run to cut the Hounds' advantage to 66-63 with 7:28 showing on the clock, and Brooklyn would close within a point twice before lay-ups from McGuire and Hanna sealed the victory.
Moravian is slated to begin its 2016-17 home season on Tuesday, November 22 when the Greyhounds host DeSales University in a non-conference contest in Johnston Hall as part of the women's and men's doubleheader that will air live on TV-2 Sports.
