The Moravian College women's basketball team defeated Cal Lutheran University 61-57 in overtime Sunday afternoon. Leading the way for the Greyhounds was senior forward Alexandra Blair, who scored 11 points, had seven rounds and six blocks.
The Regals got on the board first with a layup from junior forward Channing Fleischmann. Moravian responded with a layup from sophomore guard Laura Casey. Cal Lutheran would increase its lead to 7-2 with a three from Fleischmann and a layup from senior forward Shana Moore. The Greyhounds would battle back to tie the game at 7 after jumpers from freshman forward Alexis Wright and Blair.
The game would remain close but a three-pointer from sophomore guard Danielle Brogan would push Moravian's lead to five with just under ten minutes left in the half. After a layup from Moore, the Regals would come within one point of the lead at 16-15 with nine minutes to go. The Greyhounds would go on a run after that led by Blair, Wright and senior guard Hilary Murray to take a 23-15 lead with 4:42 remaining in the first half. Moravian would end up taking a 26-21 lead into halftime.
The Greyhounds would start the second half by extending their lead to eight points at 32-24 with 18:37 remaining, but the Regals would start to make a comeback after a layup from Moore to bring the score to 32-26. Then a jumper from senior guard Chelsey Hastigan, a three from Fleischmann, and then a free throw made from Fleischmann, Cal Lutheran would tie the game at 32 with 16 minutes remaining.
Moravian would then make a charge back while taking a 39-34 lead with free throws made from Murray and junior guard Amanda Kreuder. Two straight three's from Fleischmann would give the Regals a 40-39 lead with just over ten minutes remaining. Another three from Hastigan would push their lead to 43-39. The Greyhounds use Cal Lutheran's foul trouble to their advantage, connecting on eight-of-eight free throws to take a 46-44 lead with five minutes to go in the second half.at 52 with 1:45 left in the game. A free throw from Murray would give the Hounds a 53-52 lead with 1:39 to go. Then a layup from junior center Rachel Heagy would put the Regals up by one with 1:25 left. After Blair made one-of-two free throws to tie the game at 54, and that's how the second half would end as the game would go into overtime.
In overtime, Blair would be fouled and make one-of-two free throws to give Moravian a 55-54 lead. Cal Lutheran would respond with a layup from junior guard Jazmyne Porter and she would make a free throw following the foul to give the Regals a 57-55 lead. After two straight jumpers from sophomore guard Katie O'Rourke, Moravian would take 60-57 lead with 1:56 remaining in overtime. A good defensive stand from the Greyhounds would seal a 61-57 victory.
Wright scored ten points to go with her seven rebounds, five steals and four blocks. Murray put up ten points, five rebounds and four assists while O'Rourke had eight points and nine rebounds. Kreuder, Brogan and Casey would all end the game with six points.
Fleischmann led the way for Cal Lutheran with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Hastigan had 11 points and two assists while junior guard Erica Whitley brought down 13 rebounds to go with her three steals and four points.
Moravian shot 30.4 percent from the field while Cal Lutheran shot 33.3 percent from the field.
The Greyhounds return to action Tuesday, December 6th when they host Elizabethtown College in a non-conference game. The contest is scheduled for 7 p.m.
