INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The Moravian College women's basketball team continues to lead the NCAA Division III in blocked shots per game with 8.3 per contest through games played on Jan. 12.
The Greyhounds (12-2) increased their lead to 1.2 blocks per game more than second-place Denison University in this week's NCAA statistics release. Moravian recorded 23 blocks during a 2-0 stretch last week with wins over Ursinus College and Goucher College.
In the 72-45 defeat of Ursinus on Jan. 7, senior forward Laura Jordan had four blocks, while senior forward Ericka Blair and freshman forward Natalie Vanderlaan-Meyering each blocked three shots. In a 71-55 victory over Goucher on Jan. 11, Vanderlaan-Meyering had three more, with Jordan and Blair each swatting away two.
Moravian recorded a school-record 22 blocked shots in a single game in a 78-49 victory over Centenary (N.J.) College on Dec. 9 in Johnston Hall. The No. 1 ranking in blocks was sparked by the defensive prowess of junior forward Alexis Wright (3.29 bpg), who will miss the remainder of the season with an injury.
Thirteen different players have recorded a block, with Jordan leading the club at 30 (2.31 per game). Vanderlaan-Meyering has 15 blocks, while Blair has blocked 13 shots and sophomore guard Karine Polgar comes in at nine. Sophomore swing Alesha Marcks and senior guard Danielle Brogan each have five blocks this season. Jordan's 2.31 per-game mark as of Jan. 12 is ranked 38th in the nation, individually.
The prolific blocking ability has contributed to Moravian giving up only 59.6 points per game through its 12-2 start to the season. The Greyhounds are holding opponents to a 33.6 percent shooting percentage, which ranks 32nd in DIII. At the midway point of the season, the Greyhounds (116 blocks) are on pace to match and possibly break the school record for blocks in a season at 216.
The Greyhounds' remaining 11 games are against Landmark Conference opponents with the next contest scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 15 at 7 p.m. at Drew University, where head coach Mary Beth Spirk will go for her 500th career victory in her 27 years at Moravian College.
