SELINSGROVE, Pa. --- The Moravian University men's basketball squad trailed by as many as 14 points in the second half and finished the game with a shot to tie the score before falling to host Susquehanna University, 77-74, in Landmark Conference action Saturday.

How It Happened

• The Hounds opened the scoring on a three-pointer by senior guard Alex Dietz, and junior forward Gary Francis added a dunk for a 5-0 edge for the Blue & Grey. The River Hawks countered with nine straight points to take the lead for good at 9-5 with 14:36 left in the first half. The Greyhounds got back within a point at 20-19 on a three-pointer from senior forward Mike DiPietro at the 8:07 mark
• Moravian trailed by a point again at 23-22 after senior guard Mark Howell drained a three-pointer with 6:49 on the clock; however, Susquehanna finished the half with a 15-5 run to head to the locker room with a 38-27 advantage
• The River Hawks opened the second half with a three-pointer for a 14-point edge, and Susquehanna was up 44-32 three minutes into the period. The Hounds went on a 14-4 run to get within two points at 48-46 on a jumper from Francis with the 12:52 remaining
• Susquehanna countered again and pushed the advantage back to 13 points at 63-50 with 7:51 left to play. Moravian closed the gap once again, getting within two points at 76-74 after two free throws by sophomore forward Marquis Ratcliff with 24 seconds remaining. The River Hawks made one foul shot before the Hounds' final possession that saw the Blue & Grey get off a trio of three-pointers in the final 10 seconds in an attempt to force overtime but all three shots missed

Inside the Numbers

• Moravian had three players in double figured led by sophomore guard Porter Kelly, who tossed in 19 points to go with three rebounds
• Francis netted 17 points to go along with two rebounds and a pair of blocked shots while Dietz finished with 13 points, five assists, three rebounds and three steals
• Ratcliff and Howell both scored with points with Ratcliff contributing nine boards and three blocked shots
• DiPietro recorded six points while junior guard/forward Michael Leonardo registered nine rebounds, four assists, four steals and three points
• The Hounds connected on 25-of-62 field goal attempts, 11-of-30 three-pointers and 13-of-16 free throws
• The Blue & Grey forced the River Hawks into 11 turnovers while committing just seven miscues

Up Next for the Greyhounds

• Wednesday, December 6 vs. Goucher College, 7:00 p.m.
• Saturday, December 9 vs. The Catholic University of America, 2:00 p.m.