(Posted January 15, 2011)

BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- After trailing in the first half, Juniata College men's basketball found the necessary energy to overcome Landmark Conference opponent Moravian College, 53-31, on Saturday in Johnston Hall.

After the University of Scranton interrupted Juniata's (10-6, 3-2 Landmark) five game winning streak last night, the Eagles needed to overcome Moravian to gain a winning Landmark Conference record.

The Eagles trailed Moravian all the way through the first half until there was exactly 4:55 on the clock. Sophomore forward Nate Higgins (St. Mary's, Pa./Elk County Catholic) tipped the ball in to gain on the Greyhounds 14-12, and Pat Cassidy (Hollidaysburg, Pa./Hollidaysburg) finally tied up the game with a layup. Alex Raymond (Hollidaysburg, Pa./Hollidaysburg) grabbed the lead for the first time with three minutes left in the first half off a jump shot.

While the Greyhounds battled back in the last few minutes, Austin Ankney (Somerset, Pa./Somerset) sealed off the first half, 22-22, with a layup assisted by Lucas Mellott (Wardfordsburg, Pa./Southern Fulton).

The Eagles came out with a bang in the second half, thanks to Raymond's three-pointer and a good free throw. Junior guard Dan Sekulski (Douglassville, Pa./Daniel Boone) got things flowing with four points off the bat. Juniata held Moravian at 22 points for the first five minutes of the half. The Eagles gained their largest lead with two minutes left in the game by 22 points and a score of 53-31.

Raymond finished with a game-high 18 points making 7-of-11 shots. Senior Bruce Knowles (Duncannon, Pa./Susquenita) totaled 12 points on 5-of-6 shots, 2-for-2 from the line. Mellott collected eight rebounds for Juniata.

The Eagles shot 43.1 percent from the field, shooting 33.3 percent in the first half and improved in the second half with 54.2 percent. They committed 13 turnovers and totaled 29 rebounds.

Moravian's Garret Johnson had a team-high of nine points, while Chris Cullen grabbed nine rebounds. The Greyhounds outrebounded the Eagles with 41, yet committed 22 turnovers, which Juniata turned into 21 points. They shot 23.1 percent from the field.

Juniata faces another round of Landmark doubleheaders next weekend at the Kennedy Sports + Recreation Center, as it hosts the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy on Friday evening at 5:30 p.m. and Drew University on Saturday, Jan. 22 at 2:00 p.m.

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Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.