Dan Sherman
Asst. SID
Juniata College
814-641-3513
Bethlehem, Pa., a double digit lead at halftime and a career high 27 points from Katy Leamer (Bellwood, PA / Bellwood Antis) were not enough to hold off the Greyhounds as Juniata College women's basketball was defeated 82-71 by Landmark rival Moravian on Saturday. The Eagles fall to 4-5 in conference play.
Leamer's 27 points and 13 rebounds led the way for the Eagles. Her point total is the highest for any Juniata player this season. The sophomore has seen her playing time increase over the past few weeks and has worked her way into a starting role. The forward also had three assists in her 35 minutes on the court.
Freshman Danielle Atkinson (Lancaster, PA / Lancaster Catholic) also scored double-digit points (11). The guard also had three assists, two blocks, four rebounds, and a steal. The other three starters combined for 11 points. The Juniata bench provided 22 points to the Moravian five, with half of them coming form freshman Brianna Wasser (Ebensburg, PA / Central Cambria)
Down 13-6 early in the first half, the Eagles battled back and a Leamer layup put the team on top 19-18 with under 10 minutes to play before the break. Minutes later, Wasser hit a jumper and followed it with a layup to build a five-point lead. Later in the half, two jumpers form Leamer put Juniata ahead by nine. Moravian netted one of their own to cut into the Eagles advantage, but seconds later Leamer drained a three to send the Blue and Gold to the locker room with a 10-point lead.
Unfortunately, the Eagles could not hold on in the second half. Moravian went on a 15-5 run to start the half, erase the Juniata lead, and tie the game at 46-46. The Eagles regained the lead after Leamer made another trey to go up three and extended that to eight within a minute. However, the Eagles allowed Moravian to continue to chip their way back and tie the game again at 69-69 with four minutes left in regulation. Moravian was able to finish the game and pulled away to victory.
Juniata is now 6-12 on the season. They will play next on Wednesday the 28th when they travel to Towson, Md. to take on Goucher in Landmark play. Tip-off is set for 7 pm.
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