Sophomore forward Thomas Abato dribbles during the first half versus New York University in Johnston Hall. Photo by Marissa Werner '23
Sophomore forward Thomas Abato dribbles during the first half versus New York University in Johnston Hall. Photo by Marissa Werner '23
February 7, 2022

Greyhounds Race Out to Big First Half Lead But Fall to NYU in Final Non-Conference Game of 2021-22 Season

BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- The Moravian University men’s basketball team raced out to a 10-point lead in the first three and a half minutes, and the Greyhounds led by as many as 21 points in the first half before falling to visiting New York University, 77-73, in the Hounds’ final non-conference contest of the 2021-22 season in Johnston Hall Monday evening.

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BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- The Moravian University men's basketball team raced out to a 10-point lead in the first three and a half minutes, and the Greyhounds led by as many as 21 points in the first half before falling to visiting New York University, 77-73, in the Hounds' final non-conference contest of the 2021-22 season in Johnston Hall Monday evening.

How It Happened

  • The Violets scored the opening two points of the contest while junior guard Nate Dougherty hit a three-pointer for the Blue and Grey for a 3-2 edge. Moravian would hit its first five three-pointers in the opening 3:28 to build a 15-5 lead when sophomore forward Mike DiPietro drained a three-pointer. NYU would get back within six points but the Greyhounds answered and led 27-13 after a three-point play from sophomore forward Thomas Abato
  • The Hounds had a 17-point edge, 33-16, after a three-pointer from Dougherty at the 11:04 mark, and Moravian had its largest advantage of the night at 21 points, 43-22, after back-to-back three-pointers from sophomore guard Alex Dietz and Dougherty. A Dietz jumper had the Blue and Grey up 21 again, 45-24, with 2:33 until the intermission; however, the Violets scored the final eight points of the half to cut the Greyhounds edge to 45-32 after 20 minutes of action
  • Freshman forward Nate Santiago hit a lay-up on Moravian's opening possession of the second half, and a jumper from Dougherty had the Greyhounds' lead back to 17 points at 49-32 with just over 19 minutes to play. NYU then went on a 26-6 run to move ahead 58-55 with 10:57 remaining. The Hounds answered back, retaking the lead on a Dougherty lay-up and building a 66-60 advantage with 8:10 to go
  • Moravian led by five points at 71-66 after a three-pointer from sophomore guard C.J. Weber at the 5:15 mark; however, the Hounds netted just two points the rest of the way as the Violets took the lead for good with a three-pointer with 1:12 remaining 

Inside the Numbers

  • Moravian had four players in double figures led by Dougherty, who tossed in a game-high 18 points. Senior guard Danny Cooper netted 14 points to go along with five rebounds and five assists while Dietz and Abato each had 11 points and two rebounds with Dietz contributing two assists and Abato tying his career-high in points
  • Santiago finished with a team-high eight rebounds and six points while DiPietro had five points and three assists
  • Weber netted four points while pulling down a career-high five rebounds while freshman guard/forward Antonio Montgomery had four points, two rebounds and a pair of assists and freshman guard/forward Michael Leonardo grabbed three boards and dished out a career-high four assists
  • The Greyhounds made their first five three-pointers of the night and were 9-for-13 beyond the arc in the first half before shooting just 2-for-8 on three-pointers in the second half
  • Moravian shot 16-for-28 from the field (57.1 percent) overall in the first 20 minutes of action while making just 12-of-30 attempts (40 percent) in the second half
  • The Hounds committed a season-low seven turnovers in the game while forcing the Violets into eight turnovers 
Head Coach Mike Frew '02 discusses the team's performance after their 77-73 loss to NYU.

Up Next for the Greyhounds

  • Wednesday, February 9 vs. Susquehanna University, 7:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, February 12 at The Catholic University of America, 2:00 p.m.