BETHLEHELM, Pa.- Needing a victory to clinch a spot in the Landmark Tournament, the Juniata men's basketball team stepped up to the challenge. Four of five starters reached double-digit figures as the Eagles defeated Moravian 67-58 to secure fourth place in the conference and punch their ticket to the playoffs.
Juniata trailed early in the first half. The Eagles were behind 16-12 with 11:04 to play but went on a 12-3 run to go up 24-19 with 3:33 showing on the game clock. The JC lead stood at 26-24 with just over a minute and a half to play. A layup from Seth Brewer (Lancaster, Pa./Manheim Township) followed a three-point shot from Kyle Koehler (Chester Springs, Pa./Devon Prep) staked the Blue and Gold to a 31-24 advantage at halftime.
Moravian was able to cut the JC lead down to four points, 33-29, but back-back three-point baskets from Koehler increased the Eagle lead to 39-29. The Greyhounds were not going to let the game slip away as they mounted a 12-2 run to tie the contest, 41-41, at 13:04.
As quickly as Juniata lost its big lead, it gained it right back. An 11-0 run, with Marcus Lee (Carrolltown, Pa./Bishop Carroll) providing seven of those points, pushed the JC lead up to 11 points, 52-41, with 8:44 remaining to play. The Hounds were able to knock the deficit to eight points, 54-46, with 7:08 to play. Juniata made a late push to put Moravian away with an 11-5 run to go up 51-65 with 2:06 left to play.
Lee and Koehler both led the Eagles with 17 points. Koehler was 7-of-10 from the field and converted three-of-four three point attempts. He picked up two rebounds and also blocked three shots on the defensive end. Lee tallied seven rebounds. Brewer added 15 points and six rebounds Justin Fleming (Richmond, Va./Benedictine College Prep) scored 10 points and brought down a season-best eight boards.
The Eagles shot well on the floor as they made 48.3% (28-of-58) of their shots. They only attempted eight three-point shots but hit on four of them. Juniata had a big presence in the paint with a 42-18 advantage. They also enjoyed a 45-30 lead in rebounds.
JC's record stands at 16-9 overall and 9-7 in the Landmark. The nine Landmark wins ties for the most in the season (2007-08, 2011-12, 2013-14).
Juniata will be making its first appearance in the tournament in three years. The Eagles now wait to see who they will play in the semifinals on Wednesday. A Catholic win over Merchant Marine on Sunday gives the Cardinals the #1 seed and Juniata will travel to Washington, D.C. A Catholic loss gives Susquehanna the top seed and the Eagles go to Selinsgrove.
