WAYNE, N.J. --- The Moravian College men's basketball team was unable to hold onto a halftime lead and a second half rally fell short as the Greyhounds dropped a 78-75 non-conference decision at William Paterson (N.J.) University Tuesday evening.
Senior guard Jimmy Murray led the Hounds with 24 points to go with three rebounds and a pair of assists while senior guard Nicholas Casazza added 13 points and two rebounds. Junior guard Elijah Davis tossed in eight points with three rebounds and three steals while sophomore guard Keith Otto and junior guard C.J. Barnes each scored seven points with Otto grabbing a team-high six rebounds to go with three steals.
Senior forward Oneil Holder contributed five points, four rebounds and a pair of steals while sophomore guard Matt O'Connor and sophomore guard Shon Wilson each had three points with Wilson grabbing three boards. Junior forward John Hargraves had two points for the Greyhounds while senior guard Will Brazukas dished out two assists.
The Hounds were 27-for-65 from the floor including 15-of-37 beyond the three-point line, and Moravian's up tempo, pressing style forced William Paterson into 29 turnovers in the game.
The Pioneers pulled out to a 12-4 lead six minutes into the contest before a lay-up and three-pointer by Murray and a three-pointer in the corner from Martino knotted the score at 12-12 with 12:09 remaining in the half. Three-pointers from Casazza and Wilson and then a four-point play from Barnes had Moravian leading 22-18 with 9:23 before the intermission.
Davis connected on a three-pointer to push the Hounds' lead to 10 points while a lay-up by Casazza had the Blue and Grey up 13 points, 35-22, with 5:46 remaining in the opening half. The Pioneers closed with three points, 40-36, as the Hounds headed to the locker room with the lead.
Davis began the second half with a pair of free throws before an 8-0 run by William Paterson gave the Pioneers a 44-43 advantage. Casazza followed with a three-pointer as the Hounds moved back in front only to see a 14-2 run from the Pioneers as William Paterson moved ahead 58-47 with 10:12 remaining.
]The Greyhounds closed within seven points, 63-56, on a free throw by Holder with 7:39 remaining but the Pioneers pushed the edge back into double digits. William Paterson would ice the game at the foul line over the last two minutes despite the B,ue and Grey scoring eight points in the final 26 seconds.
Moravian is scheduled to return to action on Friday, November 16 in the opening day of the Ollie Gelston Classic at Montclair State University where the Greyhounds will take on the City College of New York at 7:00 p.m.
