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Moravian Overcomes Slow Start to Race Past Goucher

Sophomore guard Juliana Vassallo watches a three-pointer head for the basket early in the second quarter versus Goucher College in Johnston Hall. Photo by Avery Saladino '24
Sophomore guard Juliana Vassallo watches a three-pointer head for the basket early in the second quarter versus Goucher College in Johnston Hall. Photo by Avery Saladino '24

BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- The Moravian University women's basketball squad trailed by 11 points in the first quarter before outscoring visiting Goucher College 63-31 over the final 30 minutes en route to a 78-54 victory in Landmark Conference action Wednesday evening in Johnston Hall.

How It Happened

  • Senior forward Sam Osorio sank a jumper on the opening possession to get the Greyhounds on the scoreboard, and the Blue & Grey led 9-7 after an Osorio free throw at the seven-minute mark. However, the Gophers netted the next 13 points as then made four three-pointers and a free throw to take a 20-9 edge with 2:07 left in the period. Moravian made a 6-0 run, but Goucher scored the final points of the quarter to lead 22-15 after ten minutes of action
  • The Greyhounds began the second quarter with an 8-0 run as sophomore guard Juliana Vassallo sank a pair of three-pointers around a jumper by Osorio to move back ahead 23-22. The Gophers knotted the score at 23-23 before Vassallo drained another three-pointer to put the Blue & Grey ahead for good at 26-23 with 7:57 to play in the second period. Osorio pushed the edge into double digits at 39-28 with a little over a minute until halftime. Goucher scored once more to set the score at 39-30 at the intermission
  • Moravian saw its advantage remain over seven points for the entire third quarter, and a buzzer beating lay-up from freshman center Grace Steffen had the Hounds up 57-40 after 30 minutes of action
  • The Blue & Grey led by as many as 27 points during the fourth quarter as the squad improved to 6-5 in Landmark Conference action this winter

Inside the Numbers

  • Moravian had three players in double figures led by Osorio, who tossed in a career high 27 points to go along with 16 rebounds for her fifth double-double of the year and 16th of her career. Osorio also became the 15th Greyhound to pass 600 career rebounds, now with 613 career boards
  • Vassallo tossed in a career-high 14 points to go with five rebounds and two points while Steffen finished with 13 points, nine rebounds and a pair of steals
  • Sophomore guard Jayda Cartagena contributed nine points, three rebounds, three steals and two assists while junior forward Brielle Guarente had five assists, four points and four boards
  • Freshman guard/forward Lizzie Lustig added three points and three rebounds while senior guard Reganne Flannery registered six assists and two points.
  • Freshmen guard Yarian Fernandez, guard N'dera Francis and forward Bellisima Lew all scored two points with Lew netting the first two points of her collegiate career while junior guard Mikayla Anderson added three rebounds and a pair of assists
  • The Hounds connected on 33-of-76 field goals attempts, 4-of-16 three-pointers and 8-of-14 free throws in the victory
  • Moravian also had a 52-34 advantage on the boards including 18-6 on the offensive glass, and the Blue & Grey forced the Gophers into 18 turnovers while committing just 11 miscues 

Up Next for the Greyhounds

  • Saturday, January 27 at The Catholic University of America, 4:00 p.m.
  • Wednesday, January 31 at Drew University, 7:00 p.m.