BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- The Moravian University men's basketball team nearly rallied from a 14-point second half deficit before falling to visiting Susquehanna University, 71-67, in Landmark Conference action in Johnston Hall Saturday as the Greyhounds hosted their annual Alumni day.

How It Happened

• The Hounds netted the first points of the contest as senior guard Mark Howell sank the opening shot of the afternoon. However, the River Hawks scored the next 13 points to take a 13-2 lead. Moravian pulled back within three points at 13-10 on a three-pointer from freshman guard Taylor Perlmutter at the 11:47 mark
• Susquehanna pushed the edge back to 11 points before Moravian ended the half with a 9-2 run to cut the advantage back to three points, 31-28, at halftime on a jumper by sophomore forward Marquis Ratcliff
• Senior guard Alex Dietz began the second half with a free throw to pull the Blue & Grey within two points, but the River Hawks answered with a 9-0 run to push the edge back into double digits. Susquehanna stretched the lead to 14 points, 51-37, with 10:35 on the clock
• Moravian slowly got back into the game and trailed 58-54 with 5:16 remaining on a lay-up by junior forward Gary Francis. After the River Hawks push the advantage back to eight points, the Greyhounds made it a one-point game at 68-67 with 1:22 to go as sophomore guard Porter Kelly sank a three-pointer. However, that would be the final points of the contest for the Blue & Grey as Susquehanna scored the last three points at the foul line 

Inside the Numbers

• Moravian had three players in double figures with Perlmutter netting a career-high 20 points to go with four rebounds and four assists
• Ratcliff finished with 16 points and ten rebounds for his seventh double-double of the winter and the 15th of his career, and he also had four blocked shots and a pair of assists
• Dietz recorded 13 points with a pair of assists while Francis had six points and four boards
• Kelly contributed five points and five rebounds while junior guard/forward Michael Leonardo added six rebounds, three points and a pair of assists
• Howell and freshman guard Riley Flood both scored two points
• The Greyhounds were 21-for-60 from the field, 7-for-23 beyond the three-point line and 18-for-27 at the foul line
• The Blue & Grey held a 44-37 advantage on the boards including 15-10 on offensive rebounds

Up Next for the Greyhounds

• Wednesday, January 24 vs. Goucher College, 7:00 p.m.
• Saturday, January 27 at The Catholic University of America, 2:00 p.m.