Gophers Earn First Conference Win Against Lycoming Behind Strong Defensive Effort

Gophers Earn First Conference Win Against Lycoming Behind Strong Defensive Effort
December 3, 2025
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WILLIAMSPORT, PA- The Goucher College Gophers (2–4 overall, 1–2 conference) earned their first conference win of the season on Wednesday night, defeating the Lycoming College Warriors (3–5 overall, 0–3 conference) by a score of 72–56.
 
Lycoming struck first, knocking down a 3-pointer just 15 seconds into the game. Goucher answered quickly with a layup from Avree Harris, but the Warriors responded with a dunk to maintain early momentum. The teams traded baskets through the opening minutes until an offensive rebound and kick-out 3-pointer gave Lycoming a 14–8 advantage. Brian Griffin helped shift the tone with a 3-pointer to cut the deficit to three. After a missed Goucher attempt, Chima Egeonu followed with an offensive rebound and putback, though a turnover moments later led to a Lycoming steal and another made three. Junior Darnell Morris Jr. then buried his first triple of the night, tying the game at 19. A timely block from Griffin energized the Gophers defensively, but Lycoming answered with yet another 3-pointer to regain the lead with seven minutes left in the half. Morris Jr. kept the Gophers close with an offensive rebound tip-in, and shortly after, Griffin found Jadyss Fifer for a powerful dunk that helped swing momentum. A layup from Liech Kong gave the lead back to the Gophers. Lycoming briefly pulled within one with a three, but the Gophers countered with back-to-back buckets from Jon Perry and Jack Murdaugh to build a six-point cushion. Both teams traded baskets to close the half, but Goucher entered the break leading 37–29.
 
The Gophers carried that energy into the second half. Fifer opened with a block that led to a transition layup for Kong. Although the Warriors hit a 3-pointer off a steal, Morris Jr. promptly answered with a long-range shot of his own, assisted by Harris. Perry extended the lead with an offensive rebound putback, and Kong followed with a jumper that pushed Goucher ahead by 13 with just under ten minutes remaining. Morris Jr. added another three off a pass from Kong. Lycoming tried to rally with free throws and a tip-in, but Murdaugh knocked down a 3-pointer to hold them off. The Warriors continued to push, capitalizing on a late steal for a layup, but Goucher steadied themselves at the free-throw line to close out the win.
 
Morris Jr. led the Gophers with 24 points, shooting 50% from both the field and beyond the arc. Griffin followed with 11 points, six assists, and two blocks. On the boards, Morris Jr. grabbed eight rebounds, while Perry added seven. Fifer contributed three blocks to cap off Goucher's strong defensive showing.
 
The Gophers shot 41.3% from the floor compared to the Warriors 29.2%. Lycoming went 6-32 from beyond the arc versus Goucher's 7-27. At the charity stripe, the Gophers shot 92.9% whereas Lycoming shot 92.3%.
 
Goucher returns to action on Saturday, Dec. 6, hosting Elizabethtown at 2 p.m. The men's game will kick off a doubleheader, with the women's team taking the court at 4 p.m.