NORTHAMPTON, Mass. --- The Moravian College women's basketball team rallied from an 11-0 deficit to take a halftime lead before falling to host Smith (Mass.) College in the championship game of the 27th Tyler Tip-Off Tournament Sunday.
The Greyhounds, who are 2-1 on the season, had three players in double figures led by freshman guard Madison Amy, who netted a career-high 18 points to go with four rebounds and a pair of assists. Senior guard Maddie Capuano tossed in 15 points to go along with three assists and three rebounds while senior forward Nadine Ewald had her second straight and 24th career double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Ewald was selected to the All-Tournament Team for her play over the weekend.
Senior guard Karlie Brogan contributed seven points, six rebounds and a pair of steals for the Blue and Grey while freshman guard Jackie Kelly had six points and three boards. Sophomore guard Kayla Yoegel and freshman forward Emily Markowski each scored four points with Yoegel adding two rebounds while freshman guard Morgan Amy had three points and three rebounds. Senior guard Brooke Santy netted two points while junior forward Jordan Beneducci dished out two assists.
Smith scored the first 11 points of the game before a jumper by Capuano got Moravian on the scoreboard with just 3:54 left in the opening period. The Hounds would get back within five points after 10 minutes of action on a free throw from Madison Amy late in the quarter.
Markowski hit a jumper to start the second period for the Hounds, and the Blue and Grey eventually tied the contest at 28-28 on a jumper from Kelly with 2:10 left in the quarter. Madison Amy tied the game again at 31-31 with a three-pointer at the 1:21 mark, and Kelly would Moravian its first lead with 34 seconds before the intermission. Madison Amy hit another jumper and Yoegel sank two free throws to second the Hounds to the locker room with a 37-31 edge.
The teams traded baskets throughout the third quarter with Smith eventually moving back ahead 46-45 with just under two minutes left in the period. The lead changed hands five more times of the rest of the quarter as the Greyhounds had the lead after 30 minutes of action, 53-51, after two free throws from Madison Amy.
Capuano sank an early jumper to start the fourth quarter for a four-point lead. Moravian was up 57-53 after a jumper from Yoegel before a 14-5 run by Smith flipped the lead in their favor, 67-62. The Hounds trailed 69-64 when Madison Amy hit a three-pointer and Ewald connected on a lay-up to knot the score for the ninth time at 69-69. However, Smith would connect on four free throws after a foul and technical foul with a minute and a half remaining to move ahead for good.
Moravian is scheduled to begin its 2019-20 home season on Tuesday, November 19 when the squad hosts The College of New Jersey in a non-conference game beginning at 7:00 p.m. in Johnston Hall.
