A 29-14 Fourth Quarter Not Enough to Overcome Moravian
Despite three double-figure scoring performances, Juniata (9-8, 1-5) dropped a 77-65 decision at Moravian (12-5, 4-2) on Saturday, Jan. 21.
THE HEADLINE: Despite three double-figure scoring performances, Juniata (9-8, 1-5) dropped a 77-65 decision at Moravian (12-5, 4-2) on Saturday, Jan. 21.
THE STARTERS:
5 Bethany Spencer (York, Pa./York Suburban)
21 Katy Leamer (Altoona, Pa./Bellwood-Antis)
22 Bailey Swogger (Tyrone, Pa./Bellwood-Antis)
30 Dani Atkinson (Lancaster, Pa./Lancaster Catholic)
42 Kelly Leamer (Altoona, Pa./Bellwood)
FIRST HALF: The Greyhounds showed their powerful offense immediately, outscoring the Eagles 18-5 in the first quarter. Juniata was held to one point throughout the first five minutes of the game, while Moravian tallied up 16 points. Rachael Anstine (3) and Atkinson (1) each scored before the end of the first quarter.
In the second quarter, Katy Leamer got the scoring started for Juniata with a three-pointer to answer a Moravian layup. After another Greyhound layup, Anstine (York, Pa./Dallastown) capitalized on a three-point play to put the Eagles behind 22-11.
On the next Moravian possession, Anstine regained possession for the Eagles with a steal on the other end. Kaeana Rebert (Hanover, Pa./South Western) completed the play with a put-back. Moravian began a 14-4 run until the end of the half. Rebert and Haley Myers (Huntingdon, Pa./Juniata Valley) tallied up the four points for Juniata.
JC trailed 36-17 at the half.
SECOND HALF: After a scoreless first minute to start the third quarter, Katy Leamer hit a jumper and then answered Moravian jumper with a three-pointer. However, the Greyhounds began a 16-4 run, in part to three fouls and two turnovers.
Down 56-26, Katy Leamer made a pair of free throws before Moravian tacked on five more. Anstine retaliated the last Greyhound jump shot with a layup, igniting a 6-2 JC run until the end of the third quarter. Veronica Cosmopolis (4) and Suzy Badorf-England (2) contributed to Juniata's run. Moravian led the Eagles 63-36 as the buzzer sounded to end the third quarter.
Kelly Leamer began the scoring in the fourth quarter with a jump shot. Despite Moravian tacking on two more with a jump shot, Juniata tallied up 19 points to get within ten points of the Greyhounds. Katy Leamer (6), Atkinson (5), Anstine (4) and Kelly Leamer (3) tallied up the points, while the defensive earned stops on the other end, putting the score 67-57.
The Greyhounds offense regained their momentum and won the game 77-65.
KEY PERFORMANCES: Katy Leamer scored a team-leading 17 points for Juniata and pulled down a team-leading eight rebounds. The senior shot 6-for-18 from the field, 3-for-7 behind the three-point line and made a pair of free throws.
Anstine followed with 14 points and seven rebounds. She also recorded eight steals for Juniata.
UP NEXT: Now 1-5 in the conference, Juniata will face Elizabethtown on Wednesday, Jan. 25 in Memorial Gym at 7 p.m.