BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- The Moravian University men's basketball squad led by as many as 13 points early before falling to visiting Wilkes University, 77-66, in Landmark Conference action Wednesday evening in Johnston Hall to close out the first half of the 2023-24 conference schedule.

How It Happened

• The Greyhounds took an early 6-0 lead on three-pointers from sophomore forward Marquis Ratcliff and senior guard Mark Howell before the Colonels scored. Senior guard Alex Dietz connected on a three-pointer while Ratcliff had a pair of threes, and a lay-up and Howell sank another trifecta to push the Hounds out to a 20-7 advantage just seven minutes into the game
• Moravian led by 11 points midway through the half as a lay-up from junior forward Gary Francis set the score at 24-13. Wilkes answered with a 15-0 run to move ahead 28-24 as sophomore guard Porter Kelly ended the run with a three-pointer. The Hounds moved back in front on Ratcliff's fourth three-pointer of the night for a 32-30 edge, but the Colonels finished the half with an 8-2 run to head to the locker room up 38-34
• Dietz drained a three-pointer to begin the scoring in the second half, and another three by Dietz had the Greyhounds back on top, 42-41. Ratcliff sank two free throws for a 44-43 edge for the Hounds before Wilkes took the lead for good on a pair of free throws with 15:59 remaining. After the Colonels pushed the edge to nine points, Moravian closed back within three points at 60-57 on a three-point play by Ratcliff with 7:15 to go, but that would be as close as the Blue & Grey would get as the Colonels ran off seven straight points to take control

Inside the Numbers

• Moravian had a pair of players in double figures led by Ratcliff, who tossed in a game-high 27 points to go with four rebounds and four blocked shots
• Dietz netted 16 points to go with three assists and a pair of boards while Howell finished with nine points, three assists and three steals
• Francis and Kelly both had five points with Francis adding three boards while junior guard/forward Michael Leonardo recorded seven assists, three rebounds and two points. Sophomore forward Uma Kalu had the Hounds' other two points
• The Blue & Grey were 21-for-50 from the field, 12-for-24 beyond the three-point line and 12-for-16 at the foul line

Up Next for the Greyhounds

• Saturday, January 20 vs. Susquehanna University, 2:00 p.m. – Alumni Game at 11:00 a.m.
• Wednesday, January 24 vs. Goucher College, 7:00 p.m.