Gophers Earn First Win of the Season in Thriller Against Ursinus
November 25, 2025
BALTIMORE, MD- The Goucher College Gophers (1–4 overall, 0–1 conference) pulled out a thrilling 76–72 victory over the Ursinus College Bears (3–2 overall, 0–0 conference) on Tuesday night.
Goucher opened with a three from Darnell Morris Jr. just nine seconds in. Ursinus answered with a three and early free throws to briefly take the lead, but JP Prior's put-back and-one, followed by back-to-back threes from Jack Murdaugh and Brian Griffin, put Goucher ahead. Griffin added a steal and coast-to-coast layup, and Murdaugh hit another three. Jadyss Fifer then sank consecutive threes, helping Goucher build a 10-point lead with seven minutes left in the half. Ursinus closed the gap slightly, but Griffin added another three, and Fifer converted a dunk and a steal-to-score to extend the lead. The Bears made a late three to cut the deficit to eight at halftime, 42–34.
The second half continued with the same high intensity. A steal by Fifer led to Morris Jr. drawing a foul for two free throws, and later, a Morris Jr. steal set up a Fifer three. Ursinus answered with a three to cut the lead to nine, but Jon Perry's steal and Fifer's dunk restored momentum. The teams traded baskets until Ursinus narrowed the gap to six, before Fifer hit another three. As the clock wound down, Goucher's fouls kept Ursinus within striking distance. Back-to-back threes from Griffin and Murdaugh pushed the lead to six with under 30 seconds remaining. Ursinus made a late layup, but Goucher closed out the win at the free-throw line.
Fifer led Goucher with 25 points, including 5-of-9 from three, along with seven rebounds, two assists, and three steals. Morris Jr. and Perry each had eight rebounds, Griffin led with five assists, and Murdaugh shot 50% from three-point range.
Goucher made 42.9% of its field-goal attempts compared with 42% for Ursinus. From three-point range, the Gophers hit 13-of-35 while the Bears made 4-of-24. At the free-throw line, Ursinus shot 59.1% to Goucher's 42.9%.
The Gophers return after Thanksgiving break, traveling to Lycoming on Wednesday, Dec. 3, at 7 p.m. The Gophers will next play at the Decker Sports & Recreation Center on Saturday, Dec. 6, at 2 p.m. against Elizabethtown.
