Gophers Edged Out in Overtime Thriller Against Royals

BALTIMORE, MD - The Goucher College Gophers (4-13 overall, 1-9 conference) lost in an overtime thriller to the Scranton University Royals (15-2 overall, 8-2 conference). The Gophers were edged out in the contest, 74-71.

The Royals took an early advantage, scoring the first bucket 30 seconds in. Avree Harris answered back with an and-one play to give the Gophers a 3-2 lead two-and-a-half minutes in. The teams traded baskets when a Brian Griffin 3-pointer gave Goucher a two-point advantage (13:22). Scranton countered with a made basket to tie the game up at 8. With just over eight minutes left in the half, Jack Murdaugh hit a 3-pointer to give the Gophers a 20-13 lead over the Royals. Goucher continued to pour on the offense with Jadyss Fifer knocking down back-to-back threes within a 23-second span to give them a 13-point lead. To end the first half, Darnell Morris Jr. hit a three at the horn to give the Gophers a 41-28 lead heading into halftime.

The Royals started the second half by hitting a shot from beyond the arc 17 seconds in. Over the next three minutes, the team exchanged baskets until a 3-pointer from Fifer brought the Gophers' lead back to 11 points (48-37). Scranton climbed back within three, after a 15-7 run (9:42). Scranton took a one-point lead with a little over five minutes remaining following a jump. Less than a minute later, the Royals converted a layup to give them a three-point lead. The Gophers finished free throws to tie the ball game at 62 to end regulation.  

Scranton began over time by knocking down back-to-back threes, giving them a six-point advantage early. The Gophers answered back with four straight points. Both teams then hit crucial threes, but the Royals closed out the win with free throws.

Morris Jr. was the leading scorer for the Gophers with 16 points. Following closely behind was Harris with 14 points, who led the team in steals and assists at 4 apiece. Both Fifer and Kong added 12 points each. Kong led the team with eight rebounds and had the lone block for the Gophers. Fifer scored all 12 of his points from beyond the arc, going 4-9 on the night.

The Royals led the Gophers in field goal percentage and three-point percentage, but the Gophers ended their night with the advantage at the free-throw line. Scranton went 27-59 from the floor and 11-24 from beyond the arc. Goucher shot 24-57 from the field and 9-28 from three. The Gophers shot 73.7% from the charity stripe, whereas the Royals went 69.2%.

The Gophers are on the road this upcoming week, heading to Catholic on Wednesday, Jan. 28^th at 6pm. They return home on Feb. 4th for a 7pm tipoff against Lycoming.