Bethlehem, Pa. --- Senior forward Alexis Wright and junior forward Alesha Marcks both earned double-doubles in a 68-55 win over Landmark Conference opponent Drew University on Thursday night in Johnston Hall.
"Our main focus for today was to give effort for 40 minutes, and I thought we did," commented Head Coach Mary Beth Spirk. "Unfortunately in the first half, the basket was not kind to us. Our shots were in and out and not falling. I told the players to keep up the effort at halftime and when we came out shots started dropping our way.
"The other focus tonight was to rebound the ball," said Spirk. "Alexis and Alesha both did a great job on the boards. We had some nice plays and moved the ball well which is what we wanted, we wanted confidence going into Elizabethtown on Saturday. I was really pleased with everyone's effort across the board, we hustled, we dove on loose balls and really got after tonight."
Wright earned her 30th career double-double by scoring 11 points and tying her career-high in rebounds with 20, while adding one assist, one steal and four blocks. Marcks had her second consecutive and career double-double with 22 points and 11 rebounds and tacking on two steals, four assists and a career-best four blocked shots. Sophomore guard Morgan Calabrese went 7-for-9 from the foul line and 7-of-8 in the last 41 seconds of the game for a total of 11 points to go along with four rebounds, three assists and four steal.
Junior guard Emily MacDonnell tossed in seven points and contributed three assists for the Greyhounds while junior forward Karlee Corvasce scored a career-high six points and brought down five rebounds on the night. Junior guard Samantha Caligiuri added four points, one rebound, one assist and three steals while freshman guard Taylor Freeman scored four points with two rebounds and one assist.
In the first half, the basket was unforgiving as the score read 4-4 with 15:40 still to play. However, a six-point run seeing three different Hounds score to give them a 10-4 lead over the Rangers with 9:26 left in the first half. Drew would bring the game to a four-point difference but a three-pointer by MacDonnell gave the Blue and Grey a seven-point lead. The teams would trade baskets the rest of the half and would see the visitors hold a one point margin, 23-22, heading into halftime.
The second half started the same way the first ended both teams trading points. The teams would see a tie score for the fifth time in the game, with 11:36 left in the game at 42-42. With 9:01 left on the clock, the Hounds would take the lead and hold it for the rest of the game for their second win of the season when trailing at halftime and improving to 3-2 in conference play.
The Greyhounds head to Elizabethtown College on Saturday, January 8 for a 2:00 p.m. tip-off in another Landmark Conference game.
