BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- The Moravian College women's basketball team jumped out to a 41-20 halftime lead as the Greyhounds posted an 88-78 victory over Lebanon Valley College to win the 14th Roosevelt's 21st Greyhound Classic in Johnston Hall Saturday afternoon.
The Hounds, now 9-3 on the season, won the tournament title for the ninth time and improved to 24-4 in Greyhound Classic play since 2002.
"Winning a championship was a great way to start the second half of the season," commented Head Coach Mary Beth Spirk. "Beating a very good Lebanon Valley team is a nice accomplishment for this team. We had strong contributions from all the starters and the players coming off the bench, which is going to be important as we get into conference play and the grind of the season.
"I was pleased with our effort especially in the first half as our offense was clicking and our defense was active, not giving up second chance opportunities," continued Spirk. "This tournament championship will hopefully give us the needed momentum as we enter conference play."
Moravian had four players in double figures led by senior forward and Tournament Most Valuable Player Camille McPherson, who had a game-high 28 points to go with seven rebounds and three assists. Freshman guard Maddie Capuano contributed 18 points, six steals, four boards and a pair of assists as she earned a spot on the All-Tournament Team. Junior center Ciara Stewart had 13 points and a pair of rebounds for the Greyhounds while freshman center Nadine Ewald added 12 points and four boards.
Senior guard Morgan Calabrese tossed in seven points to go with a career-high nine assists and seven rebounds while freshman guard Karlie Brogan added six rebounds and four points. Junior forward Trista Cunningham had four points and four boards for the Blue and Grey while sophomore forward Ariana Caiati posted two rebounds and two points. Junior guard Kayla Csencsits pulled down two boards for Moravian.
Ewald opened the scoring for the Greyhounds before the Flying Dutchmen scored two baskets to take a 4-2 lead. Moravian answered with a 12-0 run that has the Hounds leading 16-4 after a lay-up from Brogan with 4:18 left in the opening period. A driving lay-up at the buzzer by Brogan has the Blue and Grey ahead 22-11 after 10 minutes of action.
The Greyhounds kept their lead over 10 points for the entire second quarter, and Moravian headed for the locker room with a 41-20 lead after a late jumper by Calabrese to end the first half. The Hounds were 16-of-26 (61.5 percent) from the floor in the opening 20 minutes.
The Blue and Grey maintained the lead throughout the third quarter and held a 62-47 edge after 30 minutes of action. The Flying Dutchmen cut into the advantage in the fourth period but would get no closer than ten points.
Lebanon Valley's Lexie Lantz and Hilary Yoh along with Ashley Smink from Delaware Valley University and Andrea Watkins of Penn State Lehigh Valley were on the All-Tournament Team. Delaware Valley defeated Penn State Lehigh Valley, 72-54, in the consolation game.
Moravian is scheduled to return to action on Saturday, January 7, 2017 when the squad returns to Landmark Conference action in a 2:00 p.m. game at Susquehanna University.
