Moravian Hands Susquehanna First Landmark Loss

BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Moravian remained undefeated at home with a 76-69 victory over Susquehanna University in Landmark Conference action in Johnston Hall.

The Crusaders, who entered the game unbeaten in Landmark Conference action, jumped out to a 4-0 lead before the Greyhounds scored on a lay-up by senior forward Mark Franzyshen at the 17:36 mark. Moravian tied the game at 6-6 and again at 8-8 before taking a 10-8 lead on a lay-up by senior forward Chris Earley with 12:28 remaining in the first half. After falling behind, 11-10 on a three-pointer by Susquehanna senior forward Brad Okonak, The Greyhounds would take the lead for good on a lay-up by freshman guard Steve Siracusa with 9:53 left before the intermission. Siracusa's bucket started an 8-0 run for Moravian to build an 18-11 lead on a jumper by senior guard Ryan Miller with 6:39 remaining in the half. The Greyhounds' lead would briefly hit double-digits, 26-16, on a lay-up by sophomore forward Eric Weaver with 3:37 to play before Moravian headed to the locker room with a 32-25 halftime lead.

The Greyhounds were 13 of 34 (38.2 percent) from the floor in the first half, two of 12 on three-pointers and four of seven at the foul line. Moravian also had a 22-19 edge in rebounds in the first 20 minutes while committing just six turnovers. Susquehanna made 11 of 28 field half field goal attempts, one of six three-pointers and two of three free throws.

The Greyhounds would have the lead the entire half including a six minute stretch when the lead remained in double figures. Moravian's largest lead of the second half was 14 points, 66-52, after a Miller jumper wth 3:39 remainging, and the closest the Crusaders would get was five points on two occasions, the final time at 47-42 with 10:05 remaining after an Okonak three-pointer.

The Greyhounds shot the ball better in the second half, making 14 of 26 field goal attempts (53.8 percent), five of nine three-pointers and 11 of 15 free throws. Moravian also finished the game with a 37-35 edge in rebounds, and the Greyhounds had just 15 turnovers for the game while forcing Susquehanna into 17 turnovers. The Crusaders also shot the ball better in the final 20 minutes, connecting on 17 of 33 field goals, three of 12 three-pointers and seven of 12 free throws.

Moravian had four players in double figures with Miller netting a team high 18 points to go with three rebounds. Franzyshen had 15 points, six rebounds and four assists while Weaver tossed in 14 points, which tied his career high, to go along with six boards. Earley had ten points and a team high seven rebounds for the Greyhounds before leaving the game with an injury at the 11:40 mark of the second half.

Sophomore guard Maurice Young returned to the Moravian line-up after missing two games and added nine points, three assists and three steals while senior forward Eric Whitman contributed eight points and six rebounds.

Senior guard Josh Robinson led a quartet of Susquehanna players in double figures with a game high 20 points to go with six rebounds and three steals. Senior forward Kevin Cuff had 15 points for the Crusaders while Okonak had 14 points and five rebounds off of the bench. Junior forward Joel Patch netted ten pointd anf grabbed a game high eight rebounds for Susquehanna while sophomore guard Bryan Majors had seven assists, four points and four boards.