Moravian Ends Lions Season in ECAC Semifinals

BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Alexandra Blair had a double-double by the end of the first half, finishing with 21 points and 14 rebounds to lead No. 2 Moravian over No. 6 Penn State Behrend 80-60 in the women's basketball semifinals of the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference (ECAC) South Region Tournament on Saturday afternoon.

The Greyhounds (17-11) did most of the damage in the first half behind 17 points and 10 boards by Blair, and 58.3 percent shooting from the squad to take an 18-point lead that turned into 20 by the end.  Moravian advances to the championship game against top-seeded Medaille.

All nine players that saw time for the Lions (22-6) scored and Holly Bourquin (Pittsburgh, PA/Fox Chapel) led the way with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Brianna Bayly (Imperial, PA/West Allegheny) and Julia Myers (Edinboro, PA/General McLane) each registered nine points.

What started off a close first half, Myers was able to knock in consecutive buckets to give Behrend its first lead at 13-11 with 12:06 to play. On the Greyhounds next two possessions, Danielle Brogan deflated the Lions confidence with back-to-back three-pointers. Blair recorded the next four baskets to make it 25-15 for the start of the double-digit lead.

Blair continued to keep Moravian ahead and Laura Jordan hit two jumpers to end the half with a 48-30 advantage.

 The beginning of the second half was a different story for the Lions, darting out with a 14-4 run to trim the lead to six points at 52-46 with 14:43 remaining. Bourquin and Bayly had four points apiece in the spurt.

Three unanswered layups by the Greyhounds put the lead back to double-digits to stay for good.

Moravian shot 15-for-17 from the free-throw line, while Behrend had 39-37 edge in rebounds.