BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- The Moravian College women's basketball team jumped out to a 16-1 lead in the opening quarter and maintained the edge in a 77-65 victory over visiting Juniata College in Landmark Conference action in Johnston Hall Saturday afternoon.
The Greyhounds snapped a two-game Landmark Conference losing streak to improve to 12-5 on the year and 4-2 in conference play with the win.
"It was a much-needed win for us," commented Head Coach Mary Beth Spirk. "We had to get back on the winning track, especially on our home court. We started strong and established ourselves early. We also had an opportunity to use our bench and got some quality minutes from some players. Hopefully this will start a new winning streak for us."
Senior forward Camille McPherson led a trio of Moravian players in double figures with 28 points to go along with three rebounds and three steals. Freshman guard Karlie Brogan tossed in 13 points to go with three boards and a career-high five steals while freshman guard Maddie Capuano added 11 points with seven rebounds.
Senior guard Morgan Calabrese had eight points, six rebounds and four assists for the Greyhounds while freshman center Nadine Ewald contributed a team-high eight rebounds to go with seven points and a pair of blocked shots. Sophomore forward Ariana Caiati posted four points and four rebounds while junior forward Trista Cunningham had six boards and two points. Junior guard Taylor Freeman scored two points to go with three rebounds and a pair of assists while junior forward Jen Cella also netted two points. Junior center Ciara Stewart grabbed three rebounds for the Hounds.
Moravian scored the first points of the contest on a three-pointer by Capuano 1:40 into action. After a free throw by the Eagles, the Blue and Grey ran off 13 straight points to take a 16-1 lead after a three-pointer by McPherson with 5:27 still left in the opening quarter. Moravian's defense did not allow the Eagles to make a free throw until the final minute of the period, and the Hounds led 18-5 after the first 10 minutes of action.
McPherson opened the scoring in the second quarter for a 20-5 lead before Juniata closed within nine points, 22-13, at the 7:08 mark. The Greyhounds would get the lead back to double digits on a pair of McPherson free throws, and a three-pointer by Calabrese in the final minute of the half sent the Blue and Grey to the locker room with a 36-17 lead.
The third quarter saw Moravian extend its advantage to as many as 33 points, 61-28, after jumper by McPherson at the 3:22 mark, and the Greyhounds led 63-36 after 30 minutes. Coach Spirk went to her bench to start the fourth quarter, and the Eagles would close the gap to 10 points 67-67 but that would be as close as Juniata would get.
Moravian is slated to return to action on Wednesday, January 25 when the squad travels to Goucher College for a Landmark Conference game starting at 7:00 p.m. in Towson, Maryland.
