BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- The Moravian College women's basketball team took on Landmark Conference opponent The United States Merchant Marine Academy in their last home game of the season, earning a 58-39 victory.
"It was important for us to get back out on the court and get a win after Saturday's game" commented Head Coach Mary Beth Spirk. "I thought we did a good job and took care of business. While it wasn't pretty and we missed a lot of shots, I thought we played hard and got a lot of people minutes. Alexis and Alesha have been playing at a higher level all year. They work hard and well together which sets the pace for us and obviously with it being Alexis's last home game, to get the win was even nicer for her."
Junior forward Alesha Marcks earned her fifth double-double of the year by scoring 11 points and 14 rebounds while senior forward Alexis Wright also earned a double-double the 38th of her career by contributing 13 points and 11 rebounds to go with six blocked shots and two steals. Junior Emily MacDonnell tossed in 10 points while junior guard Marie Rossignoli scored eight points. Junior guard Samantha Caligiuri and sophomore guard Morgan Calabrese both tossed in five points. Calabrese added eight rebounds, four assists and three steals.
The Greyhounds had a slow start, missing their first 10 shots and having to battle back from a six-point deficit before Calabrese would tie it up at eight a piece with 13:38 to play. Rossignoli hit a layup for the lead and then knocked down back-to-back three-pointers for a four-point lead, 16-12 with 10:55 left in the half.
Five made free throws by three different Hounds gave the team a six point lead, 25-19 with 4:30 left before halftime. Marcks connected on layup and draw a foul to convert the three point play, and she would connect on two more points from the charity strip to give the Blue and Grey 11-point lead, 30-19 heading into halftime.
The Hounds kept control of the second half with the lowest lead of nine points. Wright would go to work scoring 10 points, eight rebounds and five blocks. Marcks would pull down eight boards and tack on four points. Sophomore guard Molly Calabrese would also score a career-high four points in the half to secure the win over the Mariners.
The women return to action on Saturday, February 21 against Landmark Conference opponent Juniata College with tip-off slated for 2:00 p.m. to close out the regular season.