Rally Falls Short For Eagles in ECAC Semis Against Moravian
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Juniata women’s basketball overcame a 12-deficit against Moravian College in the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) south region semifinal Saturday afternoon but could not come away with the win and fell 68-64 to end their season. Juniata (19-9) won three of its last five games and finished the season 1-2 against the Greyhounds.
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Juniata women's basketball overcame a 12-deficit against Moravian College in the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) south region semifinal Saturday afternoon but could not come away with the win and fell 68-64 to end their season. Juniata (19-9) won three of its last five games and finished the season 1-2 against the Greyhounds.
The Eagles were led by junior Jordan Hileman (Williamsburg, Pa./Williamsburg). She finished with a team-high 21 points after making a career-best five three's. Senior Jordan Speck (Huntingdon, Pa./Southern Huntingdon) recorded 14 points in her final collegiate game. And freshman Natalie Hager (Franklin, Pa./Franklin) rounded out the Eagles in double figures with 11 points of her own.
Sophomore Kelsey Livoti (Altoona, Pa./Bishop Guilfoyle) put in her best defensive effort of the season, knocking down a career-high five shots and grabbing a career-best three steals.
Juniata trailed 40-28 at the break, but came out in the second half on fire. They went on an 11-2 run to pull within three (42-39). Moravian pushed the lead back out to nine before the Eagles fought back with a 17-4 run over a four minute span to take the lead 57-52.
The Greyhounds would turn the tables once more and go up by seven (66-59) with 2:43 to play. Speck hit a three to pull Juniata within four and freshman Karli McFatridge (York, Pa./York Catholic) knocked it down to two (66-64) with her only layup of the night.
But Juniata would miss two shot opportunities in the final seconds before the clock expired.
Moravian was led by Alexis Wright. She finished with a game-high 22 points and 14 rebounds.
The Eagles have had three straight seasons over .600. They finish the year ranked nationally in several categories, including 14th in free throw percentage, 29th in 3-point field goals per game and 33rd in assists per game.
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