Late Moravian run leads to Juniata loss in women’s hoops

BETHLEHEM, Pa. – An 8-0 run by Moravian College late in the second half proved decisive as Juniata College fell to the Greyhounds 70-64, in Landmark Conference women's basketball action Saturday afternoon in Bethlehem, Pa.

The Eagles (12-8, 5-4 Landmark) held eliminated a six-point advantage held by Moravian at the halfway mark of the second half, and eked out a 59-58 lead with exactly six minutes on the clock. Claudia McDowell (Alexandria, Pa./Juniata Valley) had a layup and was 3-of-4 at the free-throw line during Juniata's 9-2 run, with the Eagles finally taking the lead on a Kelly Ashcraft (Bellefonte, Pa./State College jumper.

Moravian regained the lead with a three-pointer by Amanda Brown, which triggered the Greyhound run that ended with Moravian holding a 66-59 lead with 2:05 left in regulation.

Gina Piccolini (Indiana, Pa./Indiana) drained a three-pointer barely ten seconds later, cutting the deficit to four points, and McDowell took advantage of a foul by the Hounds' LaToya Blake by making a pair of foul shots to trim the margin to two points.

A pair of Juniata turnovers in the final minute, coupled with Moravian's 4-of-4 performance at the free-throw line, squashed the Eagle comeback attempt and allowed Moravian to post the win.

Hnatuck logged her sixth double-double of the season with game-highs of 17 points and 11 rebounds, on
7-of-10 shooting from the field. She also tallied six blocks to aid the Eagles defensively. McDowell was the only other Juniata player to score in double figures, finishing with 15 points.

Kate Harrison and Kirsty Stearns paced Moravian with 16-point efforts, while Lauren Fornazor hauled down six boards for the Hounds. Moravian benefited from 31 points off Juniata's 28 turnovers; the Greyhounds also took advantage of 17 offensive rebounds, converting those into 12 second-chance points.

Juniata was called for 20 fouls, with Moravian exploiting by going 20-of-26 at the free-throw line.

Juniata will have the week off before hosting Catholic University of America on Saturday, Feb. 9, at the Kennedy Sports + Recreation Center in Huntingdon, Pa.

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