Smith Rejects Attempt to Force Overtime
von Ende Goes for 24 Points in 76-73 Win Over Rangers
January 10, 2009
MADISON, N.J. – Goucher's Amber Smith (Baltimore, Md./Institute of Notre Dame) blocked a three-point attempt by Drew's Danielle Barber at the buzzer to preserve the Gophers' 76-73 Landmark Conference victory over the Rangers this afternoon.
The Gophers (5-7, 1-2 Landmark), who went ahead for good on a
lay-up by Leia Roberts-Brown (Capitol Heights,
Md./Archbishop Carroll) that snapped a 2-2 tie in the
opening minute of play, took a 67-54 lead with 3:58 left to play on
a pair of free throws by Elizabeth von Ende (Leawood,
Kan./American Hebrew Academy). But the Rangers (7-5, 1-2
Landmark) responded with a 17-5 run, closing to within 72-71 on two
free throws by Katherine Luby with only :45 showing on the
clock.
Von Ende, who finished with a career-high 24 points to lead all
scorers, restored Goucher's advantage to three points with two more
free throws, but the Rangers again made it a one-point game on a
basket by Barber with :28 remaining. Drew put Amy Smith
(Logan Twp., N.J./Paulsboro) at the foul line with :17
left to play and the freshman converted both of her attempts,
putting the Gophers ahead by three and setting the stage for Amber
Smith to reject Barber's attempt to send the game into overtime.
von Ende spent much of the game at the free-throw stripe and ended up making 16 of the 21 free throws she was awarded. The 16 made free throws is only two shy of the school record of 18 set by Betsy Weingarten against St. Mary's (Md.) back in 1986.
Amber Smith backed up von Ende's 24-point performance by supplying the Gophers with 20 points, 12 rebounds, three steals, two blocked shots and an assist. The junior forward is the leading rebounder in the Landmark Conference at 9.3 per game and is the only player who ranks in the top 10 in points (15.1 per game), rebounds and steals (2.83 per game).
The win was the Gophers' first ever in a Landmark Conference
game on the road. Away from the Sports & Recreation Center,
their all-time record in the young league is 1-8.