Fifer and Harris Lead the Gophers to Win Over Gators

BALTIMORE, MD - The Goucher College Gophers return from the holiday break (3-7 overall, 1-3 conference) with a 103-75 win against the Gators of the Notre Dame of Maryland University on Monday evening.

The Gophers set the tone early with a layup from Avree Harris that led to a 13-8 run, capped by a Jon Perry three. The Gophers poured on more points before the Gators stopped their momentum with a bucket (12:26). A Jadyss Fifer three halted the Gophers' scoring drought, putting them ahead 23-12 midway through the first half. Both teams continued to trade baskets with Harris throwing down a dunk. The Gators climbed back, going on a 19-4 run to take a 38-35 lead, with five minutes remaining. The Gophers and the Gators exchanged buckets the last five minutes, but a Brian Griffin buzzer beater gave the Gophers a 49-45 advantage going into halftime.

Goucher continued their offensive push to start the second half, sparked by a layup from Harris. Five minutes into the second, Jack Murdaugh hit a shot from beyond the arc to give the Gophers a 15-point advantage. The game's three-minute stalemate was broken by a made bucket from the Gators (12:58). The Gophers built on their lead during a 19-11 run highlighted by multiple baskets beyond the arc, giving Goucher a 23-point edge with seven minutes left to play. Goucher remained on the offensive, adding 19 more points, highlighted by Fifer's dunk. The final points for the Gophers came from JP Prior and Nemo Johnson to secure the 103-75 victory.

Fifer led the team with 23 points, followed closely by Harris with 20 points. Fifer shot 8-14 from the field, going 3-7 from three, adding nine rebounds. Harris shot 100% from the field (8-8) and 4-6 from the charity stripe. Two other Gophers were in double-digits, with Liech Kong adding 14 points, and Griffin adding 10. Griffin also added five assists and seven rebounds in the contest, while Darnell Morris Jr. led the team with three steals.   

Goucher shot 56.1% from the field compared to Notre Dame's 39.7%. From beyond the arc, the Gators shot 6-19, whereas Goucher shot 12-29. The Gators held the advantage at the charity stripe, shooting 82.6%, compared to Goucher's 68%. The Gophers dominated the board, grabbing 50 rebounds compared to the Gators' 22 total rebounds.

The Gophers have a quick turnaround with a game on New Year's Eve at 2 pm at the Decker Sports and Recreation Center.