Moravian Men Snap Two-Game Slide

BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Moravian snapped a two-game losing streak and remained undefeated at home, defeating The Catholic University of America, 67-63, in a Landmark Conference game in Johnston Hall.

The Cardinals scored off of the opening tip on a jumper by freshman guard R.J. Dixon before a 6-0 Moravian run gave the Greyhounds a 6-2 lead at the 17:52 mark. The Greyhounds pushed their lead to seven points on three occasions, the final time at 15-8 with 14:27 remaining in the first half on a lay-up by senior forward Chris Earley. Catholic would close to within two points on a three-pointer by sophomore forward Matt Fazzini at 15-13 at the 12:08 mark.

However, Moravian would retain the lead for the entire half, going up by as many as nine points on the three-pointer by senior forward Eric Whitman at 33-24 with 2:22 until the intermission.

The Greyhounds headed to the locker room with a 35-29 lead after shooting 15 of 27 from the floor (55.6 percent), four of eight behind the three-point line and one of two at the foul line in the first 20 minutes of the game. Catholic was 12 of 29 from the floor, two of eight on three-pointers and a perfect three-for-three at the foul line in the first half. The Cardinals also had a 16-13 edge in rebounds in the first 20 minutes of the game while Moravian committed just four turnovers to seven for Catholic.

The Greyhounds continued to hold the lead early in the second half with Moravian's margin reaching double figures on a Whitman fast break lay-up at 18:02 for a 42-31 lead. The Greyhounds led 46-38 with 13:53 after another Whitman lay-up when Catholic went on a 10-2 run to tie the game at 48-48 on a lay-up by junior guard Evin Yarbrough with 9:57 to play.

Moravian answered with a 10-0 spurt to pull ahead 58-48 with 6:23 to play on an inside basket by senior forward Mark Franzyshen. The Cardinals would get within two points, 65-63, on a three-pointer by junior guard Nick Olivero with just 33 seconds remaining but a pair of Franzyshen free throws with nine seconds left would seal the Moravian victory.

The Greyhounds cooled off in the second half, making 12 of 28 field goals (42.9 percent), three of nine three-pointers and five of eight free throws. Moravian did finish the game with a 37-31 edge in rebounds while committing 13 turnovers. Catholic was 13 of 32 from the floor, four of 13 on three-pointers and four of six at the foul line in the final 20 minutes, and the Cardinals committed just 11 turnovers in the game.

Moravian had a balanced scoring attack again with four players in double figures led by Earley with a game high 18 points. Earley also tied his career high with 11 rebounds for his third double-double of the season, and Earley blocked a career best five shots while grabbing three steals. Whitman tossed in 14 points and pulled down four rebounds while Miller and sophomore forward Eric Weaver each scored 11 points for the Greyhounds. Miller added five assists and four rebounds while Weaver had four boards as well.

Franzyshen finished the contest with eight rebounds, seven assists, three steals and a pair of blocked shots for Moravian while freshman guard Maurice Young had six points and four boards.

Freshman forward Wes Parker led Catholic with 15 points and six rebounds while sophomore forward/center Danny Quinn had ten points and five rebounds off of the bench. Yarbrough tossed in nine points for the Cardinals while Dixon had eight points and four assists. Freshman forward Jason Nanzhaf contributed nine rebounds and eight points while Olivero had six points and three assists for Catholic.