Gophers Put Finishing Touches on Perfect Homestand

Gophers Put Finishing Touches on Perfect Homestand

Dec. 1, 2007

TOWSON, Md. - Goucher put the finishing touches on a 3-0 homestand today, holding Christopher Newport to two points over the final six minutes to earn an 81-69 victory over the Captains.

Although the Gophers (4-2) led by as many as 16 points in the first half, they needed a three-point field goal by Francheska Guilfu (Bridgeport, CT/Preston) and a buzzer-beating basket by Shadae Swan (Baltimore, MD/St. Frances Academy) in the final :17 to enjoy a 41-36 advantage at the break. Goucher was 17-for-34 from the field (.500) in the opening 20 minutes, while Chrostopher Newport was 15-for-29 (.517).

The Gophers didn't surrender the lead in the second half until a basket by Colandra Rollins with 12:28 left to play snapped a 55-55 tie. The Captains (2-1) assumed their biggest lead of the contest (65-59) on a lay-up by Shannon Perry with 7:56 remaining.

A basket by Chelsie Schweers with 6:02 showing on the clock put Christopher Newport up 67-64, but the rest of the way the Captains were 0-for-11 from the field, missed four free-throw attempts and committed a pair of turnovers. The Gophers went ahead to stay on a lay-up by Swan with 4:49 left to play.

Swan matched her career-high point total with her 34-point performance. The senior has now scored in double figures in 53 consecutive games for the Gophers.

Amber Smith (Baltimore, MD/Institute of Notre Dame) produced her third double-double of the young season as she finished with 14 points and 11 rebounds.

Rollins was the leading scorer and rebounder for the Captains as she knocked down 24 points and grabbed 10 boards. Schweers added 22 points.

The win was Goucher's first over Christopher Newport in the sport of women's basketball since the Gophers defeated the Captains, 79-66, on Nov. 21, 2003. And since it followed back-to-back victories over Hood, 66-50, and Trinity (D.C.), 80-56, in the Sports & Recreation Center, it gave the Gophers their first three-game winning streak at home since they won their final four games at the SRC in 2003-04.