January 17, 2024
Hounds Unable to Hold Early Lead Versus Wilkes
BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- The Moravian University men’s basketball squad led by as many as 13 points early before falling to visiting Wilkes University, 77-66, in Landmark Conference action Wednesday evening in Johnston Hall to close out the first half of the 2023-24 conference schedule.
Wilkes University
13-3,6-3 Landmark
77
Moravian University
7-9,3-6 Landmark
66
| Final | 1 | 2 | T |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
38 | 39 | 77 |
|
|
34 | 32 | 66 |
Team Stats
Game Leaders
Wilkes University
Pts:
Lucas Lesko
- 18
Reb:
Trent Fisher
- 8
Ast:
2 Players
(#03,
#23)
- 4
Moravian University
Pts:
Marquis Ratcliff
- 27
Reb:
2 Players
(#30,
#TM)
- 4
Ast:
Michael Leonardo
- 7
Team Stats
| Game Statistics | Wilkes University | Moravian University |
|---|---|---|
| Field Goals | (24-57) | (21-50) |
| Field Goal % | 42.1% | 42.0% |
| Rebounds | 42 | 24 |
| Assists | 11 | 17 |
| Turnovers | 10 | 11 |
| Pts off Turnovers | 12 | 7 |
| 2nd Chance Pts | 14 | 5 |
| Pts in the Paint | 26 | 14 |
| Fastbreak Pts | 5 | 9 |
| Bench Pts | 25 | 7 |
BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- The Moravian University men's basketball squad led by as many as 13 points early before falling to visiting Wilkes University, 77-66, in Landmark Conference action Wednesday evening in Johnston Hall to close out the first half of the 2023-24 conference schedule.
How It Happened
- The Greyhounds took an early 6-0 lead on three-pointers from sophomore forward Marquis Ratcliff and senior guard Mark Howell before the Colonels scored. Senior guard Alex Dietz connected on a three-pointer while Ratcliff had a pair of threes, and a lay-up and Howell sank another trifecta to push the Hounds out to a 20-7 advantage just seven minutes into the game
- Moravian led by 11 points midway through the half as a lay-up from junior forward Gary Francis set the score at 24-13. Wilkes answered with a 15-0 run to move ahead 28-24 as sophomore guard Porter Kelly ended the run with a three-pointer. The Hounds moved back in front on Ratcliff's fourth three-pointer of the night for a 32-30 edge, but the Colonels finished the half with an 8-2 run to head to the locker room up 38-34
- Dietz drained a three-pointer to begin the scoring in the second half, and another three by Dietz had the Greyhounds back on top, 42-41. Ratcliff sank two free throws for a 44-43 edge for the Hounds before Wilkes took the lead for good on a pair of free throws with 15:59 remaining. After the Colonels pushed the edge to nine points, Moravian closed back within three points at 60-57 on a three-point play by Ratcliff with 7:15 to go, but that would be as close as the Blue & Grey would get as the Colonels ran off seven straight points to take control
Inside the Numbers
- Moravian had a pair of players in double figures led by Ratcliff, who tossed in a game-high 27 points to go with four rebounds and four blocked shots
- Dietz netted 16 points to go with three assists and a pair of boards while Howell finished with nine points, three assists and three steals
- Francis and Kelly both had five points with Francis adding three boards while junior guard/forward Michael Leonardo recorded seven assists, three rebounds and two points. Sophomore forward Uma Kalu had the Hounds' other two points
- The Blue & Grey were 21-for-50 from the field, 12-for-24 beyond the three-point line and 12-for-16 at the foul line
Up Next for the Greyhounds
- Saturday, January 20 vs. Susquehanna University, 2:00 p.m. – Alumni Game at 11:00 a.m.
- Wednesday, January 24 vs. Goucher College, 7:00 p.m.
