BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- Moravian University is continuing to look back at its 2022-23 athletic campaign. The next contest in the Top 10 Exciting Games from the past year is our No. 5 highlight – the men's basketball squad rallying from a 23-point second half deficit to defeat Drew University, 91-88.
The game was played on Tuesday, January 10 in Johnston Hall, and the contest was played during the afternoon to allow the entire student body from nearby William Penn Elementary School to attend the game. Head Coach Darryl Keckler would say the energy from the William Penn students during the rally in the second half helped push the Hounds to earn the win.
The Greyhounds had an early 9-7 lead in the first half, and the game was tied at 18-18 before the Rangers went on an 18-2 run to lead 36-20 with 6:14 left until halftime. The Hounds slowly closed the gap with a three-point play by freshman guard Porter Kelly making it 46-40 Drew at the intermission.
When play began in the second half, Kelly drained a three-pointer and added another three-point play to knot the contest at 46-46. However, the Blue & Grey went cold at that point with the Rangers running off 21 consecutive points and Drew eventually leading by 23 at 71-48 with 13:12 left in the contest.
Moravian worked to get back into the contest, and just over five and a half minutes later, a three-pointer by junior guard Alex Dietz had the Greyhounds within nine points at 75-66. The Hounds kept fighting back, and another three-pointer from Dietz had the Blue & Grey down just a point at 81-80 with just under four minutes remaining. Moravian took a brief 83-81 lead before the Rangers countered with four points. Junior guard C.J. Weber connected on a three-pointer to put the Hounds up 86-85 with 1:23 on the clock as the Greyhounds took the lead for good. After falling behind by 23 points, Moravian would outscore Drew, 43-17, to end the game.
The afternoon saw five Hounds score in double figures let by Dietz, who had 18 points. Sophomore guard/forward Michael Leonardo set a new school record with 11 assists in the contest, and he just missed a triple double with 11 rebounds and nine points.
Read the original game story at https://moraviansports.com/sports/mbkb/2022-23/releases/20230110o5nq8e with a link to stats, photos and the game video.
The number four highlight in the Top 10 Exciting Games of 2022-23 will be released on Monday, June 26.
