SCRANTON, Pa. --- The Moravian College men's basketball team played its third consecutive overtime contest, dropping an 86-80 overtime decision at The University of Scranton in Landmark Conference action Wednesday evening.
The Hounds, who had won five straight including two overtime, drop to 15-7 overall and 8-3 in Landmark Conference play after falling for the first time in four overtime games this winter. The Blue and Grey had two players in double figures led by senior forward Oneil Holder, who had 30 points to become the sixth player in school history to reach 1,500 career points, now fifth all-time with 1,518 points. Holder also grabbed eight rebounds to raise his career total to 661, ninth in the Moravian record books, and he had two assists and two steals against the Royals while senior guard Will Brazukas tossed in 12 points.
Senior guard Jimmy Murray added nine points, five assists and three steals while sophomore guards Matt O'Connor and Shon Wilson each had seven points with Wilson grabbing three boards. Junior guard C.J. Barnes contributed five points and five rebounds while junior forward Addis Ralph had five points and three boards. Junior guard Mike Martino added five rebounds and two points while junior guard Elijah Davis had three points, three boards and a pair of assists.
Moravian connected on 29-of-80 field goal attempts, 13-of-39 three-pointers and 9-of-15 free throws in the contest. The Hounds had a 14-7 edge in offensive rebounds, but Scranton had a 47-40 in overall rebounds, and the Royals also went to the free throw line 40 times. The Blue and Grey did force Scranton into 17 turnovers while committing just nine.
The Royals opened up a 4-0 lead before back-to-back three-pointers from Brazukas and Wilson had Moravian leading 9-6. The Greyhounds would push the lead up to 10 points, 22-12, on a lay-up from Martino with 13:24 left in the first half before a 16-4 run by Scranton had the Royals take a 28-26 lead with five minutes left in the opening half. Scranton would extend its advantage and head to the locker room with a 45-38 edge.
The Royals held their lead through the first five minutes of the second half before back-to-back three-pointers from Barnes and Holder put the Blue and Grey back in front, 57-56, with 12:22 to go. Scranton moved back in front before a three-pointer from Holder had Moravian leading 65-63 with 7:08 remaining. The teams traded the lead several times with the Royals taking a 73-70 advantage with 1:32 to play. Holder hit is fourth three-pointer of the game to tie the score again, and it would be Barnes who grabbed an offensive rebound and beat the buzzer to knot the score at 75-75 at the end of regulation.
Scranton scored the first four points of overtime before Brazukas hit a jumper to close the gap to two points. That would be as close as Moravian would get in the extra session.
The Hounds are slated to return to action on Saturday, February 9 when the team hosts Goucher College in a Landmark Conference contest beginning at 4:00 p.m. in Johnston Hall with Moravian celebrating Senior Day prior to tip-off.
