Three Gophers in Double-Digits Against Seahawks
BALTIMORE, MD - The Goucher College Gophers (2-7 overall, 1-3 conference) fell just short in a hard-fought matchup against the Seahawks of St. Mary's College of MD (4-4 overall, 1-0 conference) on Friday night, dropping the contest 68-63.
The game opened with a made free throw from St. Mary's, but Goucher quickly took the lead with free throws from Darnell Morris Jr. The teams traded baskets for the next seven minutes, setting the tone for a tightly contested first half. The Gophers first three of the night came from Jon Perry, assisted by Jack Murdaugh, pushing the Gophers ahead. Jadyss Fifer and Brian Griffin teamed up for consecutive highlight plays, a Fifer three followed by a dunk gave Goucher a five-point advantage with eight minutes remaining. The Seahawks retaliated with a made jumper and dunk to tie the Gophers at 22 apiece. The Gophers went on an 11-5 point tear sparked by made free throws and jump shot by Griffin and capped by Morris finding Chima Egeonu for a dunk. To end the half, the Gophers extended their lead with an 8-3 run to put them up, 41-36.
St. Mary's struck first in the second half with a pair of free throws, but Morris Jr. answered back with a quick three. The Seahawks stormed back to take the lead, with a made three of their own. A block by Perry led to a three from Murdaugh to tie the ball game at 51. A jump shot from Murdaugh gave the Gophers the lead with ten minutes left in the game. The teams exchanged buckets and the game remained tied at 60 with just over four minutes left in the game. Made free throws from St. Mary's sealed their win.
Morris Jr. led the Gophers with 17 points on the night. He also added four assists and five rebounds. He was followed closely by Fifer with 13 points and four rebounds. Liech Kong snagged five rebounds, leading the team defensively.
Goucher shot 37.5% from the field compared to St. Mary's 43.1%. From beyond the arc St. Mary's shot 4-13 whereas Goucher shot 8-24. At the charity stripe, the Gophers went 13-19 versus St. Mary's 20-29. Saint Mary's held the slight edge on rebounds, grabbing 40 while the Gophers collected 34. The contest consisted of 10 lead changes, and 14 ties.
The Gophers will resume play after the holidays, when they host Notre Dame (MD) on Monday, Dec. 29th at 4pm.
