(Posted February 12, 2010)

BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Trailing by eight at halftime, the Juniata College women's basketball team was unable to overcome a 13-3 run in the opening 3:50 of the second half as Moravian College defeated the Eagles, 83-59, in Johnston Hall, Friday evening.

The Eagles started the game 6-10 from the floor before hitting a cold spell, finishing the first half 13-40.

Juniata (14-9, 8-4 Landmark) jumped out to a six point lead in the first half after a made three-pointer by sophomore Brittany Danel (Stoystown, Pa./North Star) with 15:17 left to play.

But, Moravian shook off the rust after not playing a game since January 30, due to weather conditions, and started living up to being ranked tenth in the nation.

Following the Danel three pointer, the Greyhounds went on a 16-1 run to turn a six point deficit into a 10 point lead with 9:33 remaining in the half. The score at the end of the run was 25-15. From there, the Eagles cut it to as close as five after freshman Jordan Speck nailed a deep three pointer to cut the score to 29-24, but Moravian (19-2, 10-0 Landmark) went into the lock room leading by eight.

The second half produced two big runs by the Greyhounds that determined the game. The 13-2 run to start the half put the Eagles in a tailspin, but it was the 16-2 run that helped balloon the 14 point lead to 28. The run started with 12:13 left to play as Alexandra Blair made a free throw and Erin Smith stole the ball ten seconds later and put home the fast break layup.

The run ended at 8:39 following another fast break layup by the Greyhounds that resulted in three point play following an Ashton Bankos (York, Pa. / York Catholic) foul. Moravian was able to cruise to the finish line, clinching a playoff spot in the process.

Two players scored in double figures for an Eagles team that shout 32 percent from the floor; only 23.1 percent from beyond the three-point arc. Junior Jen Hnatuck (Mechanicsburg, Pa. / Trinity) had a team high 12 points and nine rebounds. Bankos finished with 11 points.
Juniata committed 32 turnovers which led to 34 points for the Greyhounds. Moravian also used those turnovers to score 24 fast break points.

The home team had 26 turnovers on the game, but the Eagles only managed 21 points off of them.

Kate Harrison exploded for 12 points in the second half to end with 16 to lead Moravian. Jessica Foran tallied 15 points on 6 of 8 shooting. Amanda Brown chipped in with 10 off the bench.

The Eagles have a chance to redeem themselves and make a statement in the Landmark Conference tomorrow afternoon when they travel to the 14th ranked University of Scranton for a 2 p.m. tip-off.

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