SCRANTON, Pa. --- The Moravian College men's basketball team raced out to an early lead and topped host Marywood University, 84-51, in non-conference action Tuesday evening as the Greyhounds won their sixth consecutive contest.
The Hounds are now 6-1 on the season and have their first six-game winning streak since the program posted a nine-game winning streak during the 2007-08 season that ended with a berth in the NCAA Division III Tournament during the first year of competition in the Landmark Conference.
Senior forward Brandon McGuire led four Greyhounds in double figures with his sixth double-double of the season and the 24th of his career including 18 points and 10 rebounds. Sophomore forward Oneil Holder tossed in 13 points with two boards and a pair of assists while senior guard Sean Hanna and freshman forward John Hargraves each scored 12 points. Hanna added four steals and two assists while Hargraves pulled down two rebounds.
Moravian had all 17 players see at least three minutes of action and 13 Greyhounds scored including the first two collegiate points for freshman center Addis Ralph, who also had two rebounds. Senior guard Isaiah Jennings contributed six points, five steals, two rebounds and a pair of assists while junior guard Khalil Rhett and sophomore guard Jimmy Murray each scored five points with Rhett pulling down five rebounds as well.
Junior guard Matt Cardonne tossed in a three-pointer, one of nine for Moravian on the evening, while sophomore guard Will Brazukas had four assists and three steals to go with two points. Senior guard Tom Cicalese, sophomore forward Jake McGee and freshman guard C.J. Barnes all added two points in the win.
Holder opened the game with a three-pointer on Moravian's first possession, and a three-pointer by McGuire had the Greyhounds up 8-1 just two minutes into action. The Hounds' lead reached double figures for the first time, 16-5, on a three-pointer by Rhett at the 15:33 mark, and the Blue and Grey led by as many as 17 points in the opening 20 minutes of action before heading to the locker room with a 45-31 advantage.
Moravian's defense was strong throughout the game, forcing the Pacers into 33 turnovers, and the Greyhounds did not allow Marywood to score for nearly nine minutes to start the second half as the Blue and Grey used a 22-0 run to start the second half to build a 67-31 lead on with free throws by Murray with 11:32 remaining. The Hounds saw their lead hit 40 points, 77-37, on a three-pointer by Holder with 7:30 left to play.
The Greyhounds are scheduled to on Friday, December 9 in the opening round of the Don Glick Classic at Bridgewater (Va.) College as Moravian plays the host Eagles at 7:30 p.m.
