ALLENTOWN, Pa. --- The Moravian College women's basketball team led by as many as seven points in the second quarter and had a four-point edge early in the fourth quarter before falling to rival Muhlenberg College, 57-53, in non-conference action to end the first semester of action Saturday.
The Greyhounds, who head into a two week layoff at 7-3 on the season, had two players in double figures with junior forward Nadine Ewald picking up her fourth double-double of the season and 16th of her career with 13 points and 12 rebounds to go along with a career-high seven assists and two steals while junior guard Maddie Capuano tossed in 13 point with four rebounds and four assists.
Sophomore guard Jennifer McClave contributed nine points, two boards and a pair of assists while junior guard Karlie Brogan had nine rebounds and six points. Senior forward Ariana Caiati also tossed in six points to go with three boards while senior guard/forward Caitlin Flanagan had four points and a career-high five rebounds and senior guard/forward Emily Walls had two points.
Moravian connected on 21-of-60 field goal attempts but just 4-of-15 in the fourth quarter, and the Hounds were 5-for-26 beyond the three-point line and 6-of-11 at the foul line. The Greyhounds had a 38-36 edge on the boards.
Ewald opened the scoring and Capuano hit a pair of free throws to give the Blue and Grey and early 4-0 lead. Brogan would connect on a pair of three-pointers around a basket by McClave as Moravian built a 12-7 advantage. The Mules closed within 12-11 before two lay-ups from Flanagan had the Greyhounds' leading 18-15 after the first quarter.
Muhlenberg hit a three-pointer to start the second quarter and tie the game at 18-18 before a basket from Walls put the Hounds back on top. The Blue and Grey would lead 29-22 after a three-pointer from Capuano with 2:30 left before the intermission, and Moravian would head to the locker room with a 30-26 lead after a late free throw from McClave.
Ewald started the second half with a long jumper but the Mules would eventually knot the score at 36-36 with 3:22 left in the third. Ewald pushed the lead back to four points, 40-36 with a free throw and a three-point play, however; Muhlenberg would knot the score again at the end of the quarter at 42-42.
Ewald hit a free throw to open the fourth quarter, and a three-pointer by Capuano has Moravian up 46-42 with 7:30 remaining. Muhlenberg eventually pulled ahead, 48-46, before Ewald connected on another jumper to tie the contest for the fourth time. Capuano had Moravian ahead, 51-50, with a three-pointer at the 1:58 mark. McClave hit a jumper to tie the contest again at 53-53, and Capuano had an open look at a three-pointer with three seconds remaining that would have put the Greyhounds up by a point but the shot fell short and Muhlenberg hit two free throws to finish the game.
The Hounds are scheduled to return to action on Sunday, December 30 in the opening day of the 16th Greyhound Classic when the squad hosts Delaware Valley University at 2:00 p.m. in Johnston Hall.
