By Andrew Porzio Staff writer
Despite having four players in double figures, the nationally ranked Susquehanna men’s basketball team was upset by Moravian 80-77 in a back-and-forth game on Jan. 28 in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
Junior center Ryan Traub led Susquehanna with 18 points and six rebounds. Senior guard Steven Weidlich scored 14 points and sophomore guard Tyler Hoagland added 13.
Sophomore guard Jimmy Murray led Moravian with a game-high 21 points along with three assists. Senior guard Sean Hanna and senior forward Brandon McGuire each chipped in with 16 points apiece for the Greyhounds.
Susquehanna jumped out to an early 12-8 lead in the first four minutes of the game. A Traub layup pushed the River Hawk lead to 28-18 with just under 10 minutes left in the half.
That lead did not last very long however, as a Murray three-pointer from the right wing sparked a 9-0 run for the Greyhounds.
From there both teams traded baskets toward the end of the half and Susquehanna entered halftime with a 43-41 edge.
Moravian opened the second half on a 7-1 run before a Traub layup pulled the score even at 48.
With just over seven minutes gone in the first half the River Hawks went on a 12-4 run of their own, pushing their lead to 68-58, before another Murray three-pointer brought the Greyhounds to within seven.
Moravian went on a run to grab the lead over the next few minutes of action.
A pair of free throws by Weidlich knotted the score at 73 with fewer than four minutes remaining in the game. However, a 3-point play by Moravian’s Isaiah Jennings gave the Greyhounds a 76-73 lead.
Sean Hanna made two free throws in the closing seconds to ice the game for Moravian and seal the upset win over Susquehanna, who entered the game ranked 11th in the country in Division III.
The River Hawks were quick to avenge just their third loss of the season, rolling over Juniata 83-57 on Feb. 1.
Quick to regain its offenseive rhythm, Susquehanna held an 11-point lead entering the half before exploding for 49 in the second.
While offense has been the focal point for the River Hawks this year, it was defense that was on display as well against the Eagles.
Susquehanna defenders harassed the Juniata shooters all night limiting them to only 39 percent shooting.
Weidlich again led the charge for Susquehanna, this time dropping 24 points along with five assists.
It was all about finding open looks for the teams scoring leader, as he knocked down 50 percent of his shots.
Behind Weidlich in scoring was Traub, who added 19 points to compliment Weidlich’s game-high.
Traub also led the team in rebounds along with senior guard Jason Dietrich who each had eight.
One of the biggest highlights of the game, however, came from one of the youngest players on the team. In the second half, 6-foot, 8-inch freshman center Jacob Walsh took flight for an emphatic slam, bringing the fans and the team to their feet.
Susquehanna takes to Houts Gymnasium court again on Feb. 4, when the team will look to earn its eighth Landmark-Conference win of the season against Goucher. The game will also be part of Susquehanna’s annual Pepsi Day celebration.
