Boxscore

BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- Susquehanna University's freshman forward Gina Palazzi (Newfounland, Pa./Wallenpaupack) tallied team-highs of 12 points and seven rebounds, but visiting Susquehanna fell to nationally ranked No. 10 Moravian College, 52-44, in in the Landmark Conference women's basketball semifinals at Archibald Johnston Hall on Feb. 24.

Palazzi shot 5-for-7 from the field and made both of her free-throw attempts. She also tied a team-high with two steals.

SU (13-13 overall) started the game in a 10-2 hole to Moravian (24-2 overall) before it went on a 12-0 run to take the lead at 14-10 with 12 minutes, 12 seconds to go in the first half.

Moravian brought the game back to a 14-14 deadlock, but the Crusaders answered again with four quick points.

The Greyhounds went on another small run to tie the game back up at 18 with 8:56 remaining in the opening period and outscored SU, 13-9, the rest of the half to go into intermission with a slim 31-27 lead.

Crusaders sophomore guard/forward Jessica Zigarelli (Warren, N.J./Watchung Hills Regional) dished out a game-high-tying three assists to go along with five points and five boards. Zigarelli also tied for another game-high with four blocked shots and added two steals.

Junior guard Erika Barron (Tamaqua, Pa./Tamaqua Area) and senior guard Ashley Watkins (La Habra Heights, Calif./Rosary) each had two steals. Barron also chipped in four points and three rebounds, while Watkins added three points and three boards.

Moravian opened the second half on a 4-0 run to go up, 35-27. Another strong SU run sparked by back-to-back layups from Zigarelli and Barron brought the game back to a tie at 35 with 11:29 to go in regulation. The game went back and forth for the next 10 minutes, but Moravian's free-throw shooting proved to be too strong. The Greyhounds made 10 of their final 13 attempts to put the game away.

The Greyhounds were led in points by senior guard Jessica Foran (Annandale, N.J./Rutgers Prep), who notched a game-high 14, including perfect 8-for-8 shooting from the line. Teammate and senior forward Kirsty Stearns (East Norwich, N.Y./Oyster Bay) tallied game-highs of nine rebounds and three steals and registered a game-high-tying four blocked shots. Sophomore guard Hilary Murray (Clinton, N.J./North Hunterdon) handed out a game-high-tying three assists.

SU only went to the line eight times in this game.

The Crusaders forced the Greyhounds into 20 turnovers but could not knock down any shots from three-point range (0-for-11).

Moravian will now play No. 2-seeded and nationally ranked No. 17 The University of Scranton (22-4 overall) in the Landmark championship game on Feb. 27. Scranton won the other conference semifinal against No. 3-seeded Juniata (15-11 overall), 70-62, on Feb. 24. Scranton is the playoffs' No. 1 seed, while Susquehanna is No. 4.