(Posted January 13, 2007)

SLOW START FOILS JUNIATA LADIES BASKETBALL Moravian 72, Juniata 57 BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Despite a torrid comeback the Juniata College women\'s basketball team could not overcome a sluggish first half as the Eagles suffered a 72-57 set-back to Moravian College in Commonwealth action Saturday afternoon. Juniata (10-5, 1-3 Commonwealth) was held without a field goal in the first eight minutes of the game, during which time Moravian (9-5, 3-1 Commonwealth) built a 15-0 lead. A jumper from Gina Piccolini (Indiana/Indiana) pulled Juniata back within 10 points with 9:33 left on the clock, but Moravian continued to pour it on, as the home team pulled out to a 29-point edge late in the half, before taking a 25-point cushion into halftime. Moravian\'s Kelly Applegate had 10 of her game-high 20 points in the first half The Eagles were held to just 13 percent shooting in the first half, including missing all 12 attempts from three-point range and committing 15 turnovers. It was a different story in the second half as Juniata\'s offense, sparked by junior guard Mindy Werner, put 41 points on the board. But it was not enough to rally all the way back. Moravian kept the lead at more than 20 points for most of the half, but the Eagles began a spurt with 13:38 remaining that brought Juniata within 12 points at 57-45 with 10:38 left. Moravian answered, as three-straight free throws from Applegate pushed the lead to 15. The cushion was brought back to 17 before Juniata made one final run as a three from Emily McKenna (Tyrone/Tyrone) kicked off a 7-0 run that made the score 64-54 with 3:19 remaining. But the Greyhounds went back to the foul line and hit four-straight free throws to seal the win. Werner scored 15 points in the second half, to give her a career-high 19 for the game for the Blue and Gold. She helped Juniata shoot 50 percent from the field in the second half. Kelly Ashcraft (State College/Bellefonte) was also in double figures for Juniata with 10 points and she also led the team with eight rebounds. Werner was tops on the squad with four assists. Applegate was 6-of-11 from the field and a perfect 8-for-8 from the foul line while adding nine rebounds. Jenny Hackleman scored 11 points while adding a game-high 11 rebounds for the Greyhounds and Kate Harrison was also in double figures with 10 points. Applegate and Hackleman each had three assists to pace Moravian. Juniata will return to action on Wednesday with a conference home game against Elizabethtown. ###

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