Junior guard Nate Dougherty drives to the basket during the second half versus Vassar (N.Y.) College in Johnston Hall in the 41st Steel Club Classic. Photo by Mairi West '23
Junior guard Nate Dougherty drives to the basket during the second half versus Vassar (N.Y.) College in Johnston Hall in the 41st Steel Club Classic. Photo by Mairi West '23
January 2, 2022

Hounds Unable to Hold Halftime Lead in Loss to Vassar in 41st Steel Club Classic

BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- The Moravian University men’s basketball team had a nine-point lead at halftime but was unable to hold on as the Greyhounds fell to visiting Vassar (N.Y.) College in the first and only game of the 41st Steel Club Classic in Johnston Hall Sunday. 

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BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- The Moravian University men's basketball team had a nine-point lead at halftime but was unable to hold on as the Greyhounds fell to visiting Vassar (N.Y.) College in the first and only game of the 41st Steel Club Classic in Johnston Hall Sunday. 

How It Happened

  • The Brewers scored the opening five points of the contest before a 6-0 run from the Greyhounds capped by a lay-up from junior guard Nate Dougherty had the Blue and Grey leading 6-5. Vassar retook the lead and pushed its advantage to 14-9 just over six minutes into the contest. Moravian knotted the score three times before eventually taking a 20-18 lead on a lay-up from sophomore guard Alex Dietz at the 7:27 mark
  • Leading 22-20, the Greyhounds went on a 10-0 run to build a 32-20 edge with 2:54 left in the first half on a lay-up from sophomore forward Thomas Abato. The Brewers closed within eight points before sophomore guard C.J. Weber hit a three-pointer for Moravian. Vassar hit the final basket of the half as the Blue and Grey headed to the locker room with a 35-26 lead
  • The Brewers began the second half by closing the gap to six points only to see the Hounds push the edge back into double digits at 44-33 on a pair of Dietz free throws at the 18:17 mark. Vassar countered with a 13-0 run as the Brewers moved ahead 46-44 with 14 minutes to go. Lay-ups from Dougherty and sophomore forward Mike DiPietro had Moravian back in front 48-46, and after an Abato basket at the 11:17 mark, the Greyhounds were ahead 52-49
  • After Vassar retook the lead, there were two more ties, the eighth and final tie of the game at 56-56 on a jumper from Dietz with 6:42 remaining. The Brewers then took control with a 12-0 run and led 68-56 with 2:46 to go. Moravian would get within eight points at 68-60 on a jumper from Dougherty, however; Vassar would sink four free throws in the final minute to seal the contest 

Inside the Numbers

  • The tournament was limited to just one game this year with original scheduled participants New York University and Salisbury (Md.) University withdrawing in the last week due to COVID protocols in their programs.
  • The Greyhounds had two players in double figures led by Dougherty, who had a game-high 13 points to go with three assists and three rebounds as he was named the Moravian MVP of the contest. Dietz tossed in 13 points to go with four boards and two assists as he was also named to the All-Tournament Team
  • DiPietro, senior guard Danny Cooper and freshman forward Nate Santiago all netted eight points with Santiago grabbing six rebounds, Cooper contributing four rebounds, four assists and three steals and DiPietro adding two rebounds and two steals
  • Weber finished with seven points, two rebounds and two assists while Abato had five rebounds and four points
  • Moravian committed just 11 turnovers in the contest while forcing the Brewers into 17 turnovers 
Head Coach, Mike Frew '02, discusses the team's performance after their game versus Vassar.

Up Next for the Greyhounds

  • Saturday, January 8 vs. Goucher College, 2:00 p.m.
  • Wednesday, January 12 vs. Drew University, 7:00 p.m.