BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- The Moravian College men's basketball team battled to the last second against Landmark Conference opponent Drew University, but fell 85-80 in the hard-fought game.
"We played much better offensively, we battled and played hard," commented Head Coach Jim Walker. "We didn't defend well and in close games like this, we have to come up with stops and we didn't do that. Hopefully, we can come in and do a better job of that on Saturday."
Senior guard Izel Dickerson and junior guard Jarrod Dilts led the Greyhounds by scoring 18 points apiece. Dickerson brought down five rebounds, had two assists and a steal while Dilts was 4-for-7 on three-pointers, grabbed four rebounds and had three assists. Sophomore forward Brandon McGuire contributed 17 points, eight rebounds, two blocks and an assist while fellow sophomore guard Sean Hanna tossed in 13 points, had four assists, a trio of three-pointers, one block and a steal on the night.
Dilts had the hot hand in the first half, scoring 12 of his 18 points, with a three-pointer for the first points of the game. Senior forward Garrett Kashmer hit a three next time down the court to keep a three-point lead with lots of time in the first half. Dilts would make a layup, but that the last time the teams would trade points as the Rangers extended a lead. With just under 5:00 to play Dickerson knocked down a three to cut the deficit to two. Dickerson would follow up with a layup for the fourth tie of the game, 34-34 with 4:26 left before half. Going point-for-point in the last minutes, Drew would take a one point lead, 43-42, heading into halftime.
Again Dilts would come out and bank in a three-pointer for a two point lead to start the second half. The Rangers took a lead, but a jumper from Dickerson would make it a three point game. On the next trip down the court, Dickerson would go two-for-two from the charity stripe making it 63-62 with 12:23 left to play. Battling for points, a layup from Hanna would keep it a one point game and a three nu Hanna on the next trip down the court gave the Greyhounds the lead 71-69 with 7:03 left to play. Hanna with quick pressure forced a Ranger turnover and a three point lead, 76-63. With 2:39 left in the game Drew had a three point lead, with six seconds left Dickerson would be fouled outside the three-point and sent to the free throw line with a chance to tie the game for the 11 time, he would hit two out of three. With the hopes to force overtime the Hounds had a turnover and would fall 85-80.
The Blue and Grey return to action in Johnston Hall on Saturday, February 14 at 4:00 p.m. to face Landmark Conference opponent Elizabethtown College.
