Fifer Leads Gopher with 26 on the Road Against Riverhawks

SELINSGROVE PA - The Goucher College Gophers (4-12 overall, 1-8 conference) traveled to face the Riverhawks of Susquehanna University (9-7 overall, 5-4 conference). Despite a late offensive push and a season-best by Jadyss Fifer, they dropped the contest 77-64.

The Riverhawks opened the scoring with a made 3-pointer that was followed by a Jack Murdaugh jumper 20 seconds later. Susquehanna broke the game's three-minute scoring drought with four straight points. Over the next few minutes, the teams exchanged baskets, but a 3-pointer from Fifer lifted the Gophers within one. The Riverhawks went on a 7-0 scoring run (7:24), which was halted by a made hook shot from junior Timi Akisanya. To end the half, Susquehanna went on a 15-10 run, until a 3-point buzzer-beater from Fifer brought the Gophers within 10 (36-26) going into halftime.

Just under a minute into the second half, the Riverhawks made a bucket to add to their lead over the Gophers. A dunk from Chima Egeonu brought the Gophers back within 10. As teams continued to trade baskets, Fifer knocked down a shot from beyond the arc and added free throws to keep the Gophers within nine points (33-42). Susquehanna scored nine unanswered points over the next two minutes (14:06), until four straight points from Avree Harris broke the Gophers' scoring drought. The game turned into an offensive battle, but Susquehanna held the advantage, going on a 21-18 run, until Fifer fired back, scoring the next seven points for the Gophers. Despite an offensive push to end the second half, the Gophers lost 77-64.

Fifer led the Gophers with 26 points, going 9-16 from the floor and shooting 42.9% from three. Liech Kong led the team in with nine rebounds, while adding four assists and 10 points. Egeonu led the team with three steals, while also finishing in double figures with 10 points. In steals was Egeonu with three, and he added 10 points.

Susquehanna led the game statistically, going 26-57 from the floor, 45.6% from three, and 18-26 from the free throw line. Goucher shot 23-55 from the field, shot 20% from beyond the arc, and 15-22 from the charity stripe. The Riverhawks out-rebounded the Gophers 40-32.

The Gophers return home on Friday, Jan. 23^rd as they take on the University of Scranton Royals in a 3pm matchup.