BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- The Moravian University women's basketball squad lead the entire way in a 52-43 victory over visiting Neumann University in the opening round of the 20th Steel Club Classic in Johnston Hall Friday afternoon to advance to the championship game on Saturday.

How It Happened

• The Hounds needed just four seconds into action as junior forward Brielle Guarente grabbed the opening tip and drove to the basket for a lay-up. Senior forward Sam Osorio added a lay-up and sophomore guard Jayda Cartagena hit a jumper to put the Blue & Grey up 6-0. The Knights scored the next five points to get within one at 6-5 at the 6:25 mark. The Greyhounds countered and led 12-6 after another jumper from Cartagena with 4:44 to go in the first quarter. Moravian held a 15-10 advantage after ten minutes of action
• Senior guard Reganne Flannery began the second period with a three-pointer and a lay-up from Osorio had the Greyhounds lead in double digits at 20-10 with 8:44 remaining in the first half. Moravian pushed the edge to 14 points at 28-14 on a pair of free throws by freshman center Grace Steffen midway through the period, and the Hounds headed to the intermission with a 34-24 lead
• Freshman guard/forward Lizzie Lustig opened the scoring in the third quarter with a three-pointer. However, the Greyhounds scored just once more in the period as Neumann cut the Moravian edge to 39-36 after 30 minutes of play
• The Knights trimmed the advantage to a point on the first possession of the fourth quarter, and it was a one-point game with 8:13 remaining when baskets from Cartagena and Lustig put the Blue & Grey ahead 45-50. Neumann made it a two-point contest at 45-43 with 4:41 to play, but Moravian's defense would not allow another point as the Greyhounds netted the final seven points of the contest

Inside the Numbers

• Moravian had three players in double figures led by Guarente, who netted 12 points to go with four rebounds and a pair of blocked shots
• Osorio and Lustig each scored 11 points with Osorio grabbing eight boards and Lustig contributing five rebounds
• Flannery tied her career high with eight points while pulling down a career-best eight rebounds and four assists. Cartagena finished with six points and three rebounds while Steffen had four points, seven boards and a pair of blocked shots
• The Greyhounds connected on 21-of-51 field goal attempts, 2-of-7 three-pointers and 8-of-12 free throws in the victory, and the Blue & Grey held a 37-32 edge on the boards
• The Hounds head to the championship game of the Steel Club Classic for the 16th time, and the program has won the tournament 11 times
• Moravian will face former player Camille McPherson '17 & '19, who is currently the head coach at Capital University. McPherson was the MVP of the Steel Club Classic twice in her playing career

Up Next for the Greyhounds

• Saturday, December 30 vs. Capital (Ohio) University in Steel Club Classic Championship, 1:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, January 3 vs. Juniata College, 1:00 p.m.