Early Spurt Leads Greyhounds to Sixth Straight Win with Victory over Marywood

BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- The Moravian College men's basketball team used a 13-0 run midway through the first half to open up a double-digit lead on its way to an 87-51 non-conference victory over visiting Marywood University Saturday afternoon as the Greyhounds won their sixth straight contest.

"It was a good team effort this afternoon, especially getting out to an early lead," commented Head Coach Justin Potts. "I think today may have been our most complete effort of the season on the court both offensively and defensively."

The Hounds, who are 6-2 heading into a week off for final exams to the first semester, had three players in double figures with another balanced scoring attack. Junior forward Addis Ralph and junior guard C.J. Barnes each tossed in 14 points with Ralph grabbing seven rebounds and Barnes adding three boards. Senior guard Will Brazukas had 12 points to go with five assists and a pair of steals.

Senior forward Oneil Holdercontributed nine points and seven rebounds while junior guard Elijah Davis and sophomore guard Matt O'Connor both tossed in eight points with Davis adding two rebounds and a pair of steals and O'Connor contributing three rebounds, three assists and three steals. Senior guard Jimmy Murray had seven points and three steals while senior guard Nicholas Casazza added six points, five rebounds and two assists.

Junior forward John Hargraves netted four points with a pair of rebounds and two blocked shots while sophomore guard Keith Otto had three points and five boards. Freshman forward Steve Breeman added four rebounds and two points while junior guard Mike Martino contributed five assists and four boards.

The Greyhounds connected on 33-of-74 field goal attempts including 14-of-38 beyond the three-point line. Moravian was also 7-of-9 at the foul line while holding a 47-38 advantage in rebounds. The Blue and Grey forced the Pacers into 26 turnovers in the contest.

Davis opened the game with a three-pointer before Marywood hit a trey. Barnes then scored on two jumpers and a pair of three-pointers to give the Hounds a 13-5 advantage. The Pacers closed within 15-9 at the 11:44 mark before the Greyhounds' 13-0 run keyed by two three-pointers from Ralph and one from O'Connor to go with a jumper by Murray and a lay-up from Brazukas to push the lead to 28-9 with 8:10 before the intermission. Casazza would connected on a pair of three-pointers before two baskets from Holder pushed the edge to 38-11 with 4:30 on the clock. Holder added a three-pointer for a 30-point lead, 43-13, 34 seconds later and a three-point play from Brazukas sent Moravian to the locker room with a 46-21 advantage.

In the second half, the Greyhounds lead would not dip below 23 points, and that came 1:17 into the half as Moravian eventually pushed the edge to 36 points at the end of the contest.

The Hounds are scheduled to return to action on Saturday, December 15 in a non-conference game at Rival Muhlenberg College beginning at 4:00 p.m. in Allentown.