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Moravian Falls Late at Juniata in Landmark Conference Action

Freshman forward Marquis Ratcliff drives down the lane in the first half of a contest versus Goucher College in Johnston Hall. Photo by Aidan Evans-Gartley '23
Freshman forward Marquis Ratcliff drives down the lane in the first half of a contest versus Goucher College in Johnston Hall. Photo by Aidan Evans-Gartley '23

HUNTINGDON, Pa. --- The Moravian University men's basketball squad had a two-point edge with just under three minutes remaining; however, the Greyhounds failed to score the rest of the way, falling to host Juniata College, 68-58, in Landmark Conference action Saturday.

How It Happened

  • The Eagles hit a free throw two and a half minutes into action for the first point of the contest and a 1-0 lead. The Hounds finally got on the scoreboard just over four minutes into play on a lay-up by sophomore guard/forward Michael Leonardo to go up 2-1, and the Blue & Grey would stretch the advantage to 6-1 after a jumper from freshman forward Marquis Ratcliff a minute later
  • Moravian held a six-point edge at 13-7 with nine minutes until the intermission on a lay-up by junior guard Mark Howell after a steal. Juniata closed within two points at 13-11 before a 10-0 run by the Greyhounds pushed the lead out to 23-11 with just under four and a half minutes to halftime. Junior guard Filippo Baldo keyed the run with a pair of free throws and a three-pointer, and Ratcliff also drained a three-pointer. The Eagles countered with an 11-0 run to get within a point at 23-22, but Leonardo connected on two three-pointers in the final 38 seconds of the half as the Hounds headed for the locker room with a 29-25 advantage
  • The second half began with the squads trading baskets and Juniata taking a 32-31 edge. The Hounds moved back in front on another three-pointer by Ratcliff, and the Blue & Grey put together a 12-0 run to lead 46-33 after dunk by Ratcliff with 13:14 on the clock
  • The Greyhounds had a 53-41 advantage with 10:35 to go as Baldo drained a three-pointer before Juniata went on a 15-0 run to retake the lead at 56-53 with 4:54 remaining. Freshman guard Porter Kelly stopped the run with a three-pointer, and the Hounds took a 58-56 advantage on a lay-up by sophomore forward Nate Santiago at the 2:57 mark. However, that would be Moravian's final points of the game as the Eagles finished the contest with a 12-0 run

Inside the Numbers

  • Moravian had a pair of players in double figures with Ratcliff netting a game-high 19 points to go with seven rebounds, two assists and a pair of blocked shots while Leonardo tossed in 11 points to go along with five rebounds and four assists
  • Baldo recorded a career high eight points while Santiago had six points and six boards and Porter contributed six points, six assists and four rebounds. Junior guard Alex Dietz added four points and three assists while Howell and freshman forward Uma Kalu both had two points with Howell grabbing three steals and Kalu blocking a pair of shots. Junior forward Mike DiPietro pulled down four rebounds to go with two assists
  • The Hounds shot 23-of-57 from the field, 9-of-23 beyond the three-point line and 3-of-7 at the foul line

Up Next for the Greyhounds

  • Wednesday, February 15 at The University of Scranton, 7:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, February 18 vs. Susquehanna University, 4:00 p.m.