Gophers Overtake Eagles with Solid Finish

Gophers Overtake Eagles with Solid Finish

Jan. 26, 2008

TOWSON, Md. - Goucher made its final seven shots from the field and all four of its free-throw attempts as it rallied over the final 4:10 tonight to gain an 85-78 Landmark Conference victory over Juniata.

The Eagles (11-6, 4-2 Landmark) were in front, 40-32, at halftime and led by as many as 16 points in the second half, but a three-point field goal by Pat Bailey (Rockville, MD/Magruder) with just over four minutes left to play allowed Goucher to close to within 68-67. Bailey put his team ahead to stay when he again connected from three-point range on the Gophers' next possession.

Darrin Boswell II (Philadelphia, PA/Joppatowne) tallied Goucher's next nine points, making three consecutive two-point baskets before nailing a three-pointer with :49 showing on the clock that put the Gophers up 79-73.

Juniata's Jeff Berkey answered with a three-pointer of his own with :44 remaining, but a lay-up by Marcus Cotton (Silver Spring, MD/Springbrook) and four free throws - a pair by Nick DeSouza (Washington, DC/Archbishop Spalding) and the other two by Bailey - allowed the Gophers (5-11, 3-3 Landmark) to pull away down the stretch.

Boswell and Bailey were the top two scorers for Goucher as they contributed 18 and 17 points, respectively, to the victory. Bailey was 5-for-9 from behind the three-point stripe.

Goucher had three more double-figure scorers in DeSouza, who had seven rebounds and five assists to go along with his career-high 15 points, Cotton, who finished with 11 points and seven boards, and Cameron Brown (Baltimore, MD/Owings Mills), who went 5-for-6 from the field as he produced 11 points.

Kyle Opitz captured scoring honors for Juniata as he wound up with 19 points.