BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- Senior forward Alexis Wright scored her 1,000th career point in a 70-66 come-from-behind win over DeSales University in Johnston Hall Tuesday evening, making her the 24th player in Moravian College history to do so. Wright would score a total of 17 points in the game to go with eight rebounds and six assists, four blocked shots and two steals.
"It feels good to get it," stated Wright. "In high school, I only scored about 500 points so it was a big step for me to get my 1,000th and just growing from here. I let the game come to me, I was a little nervous at first but once I got it I settled in. We are a fairly young team that is still learning but once we start clicking we will be unstoppable."
"I'm so proud of Alexis, she has worked so hard to get back on the court and to get her 1,000th point is just credit to her," commented Head Coach Mary Beth Spirk. "The nice thing about Alexis is she has matured enough that if she is not making shots she is getting rebounds, steals and blocks which is key."
Junior forward Alesha Marcks would also score 17 points while adding four rebounds and five assists. Junior guard Emily MacDonnell netted 12 points to tie her career, and she dished out five assists while freshman guard Taylor Freeman scored a career-best 11 points and had three rebounds. Sophomore guard Morgan Calabrese had nine points on the night with six rebounds while sophomore guard Nellie Tanguay grabbed a career high seven boards.
In the first half, the Bulldogs jumped out to a five point lead before the Greyhounds got things clicking when Calbarese hit a jumper and MacDonnell made a layup making it 5-4. Four points from Marcks would extend the Hounds to a five point lead.
The teams would trade baskets before the Blue and Grey go onto a 10-point lead with baskets from sophomore forward Natalie Vanderlaan-Meyering, four points from Wright and a three by MacDonnell, but the Bulldogs would cut the deficit to four points before half 36-32.
The Hounds would trail in the second half as the DeSales would take the lead for the second time of the game 43-40. As they have done so in their last few games, the Greyhounds would battle back with a free throw by Marcks to make it 56-54, while Wright tied the game with 5:45 left by her 1,000th point.
Grappling for points, Moravian would hit a banked three-pointer by MacDonnell and with a layup, and free throws from Marcks and Wright they would extend the lead by seven. Another free throw by MacDonnell and tough smart defense would secure the win for the Hounds.
"We grinded it out tonight," stated Spirk. "We needed someone to step up and make shots instead of forcing it. I thought we stepped up and played better defense and a little more heart. It feels good to go on a break 4-2 and a win over DeSales is even better."
Moravian College returns to Johnston Hall Monday, December 1 at 7:00 p.m. against Montclair State University before they open their 2014-15 conference schedule against Goucher College.
