Gophers Take First Hit at Home in 2007-08

Gophers Take First Hit at Home in 2007-08

Dec. 8, 2007

TOWSON, Md. - Goucher suffered its first home loss of the season today as Swarthmore overcame a double-digit deficit in the first half to hand the Gophers a 56-53 setback.

The lead changed hands nine times in the first 7:47 until a run of 13 unanswered points allowed the Gophers (4-4) to establish a 25-16 advantage. Nine of the 13 points were earned at the free-throw line and the other four were the result of baskets by Amber Smith (Baltimore, MD/Institute of Notre Dame).

Goucher's biggest lead of the first half was 10 points (29-19) with just 2:39 remaining before halftime, but the Garnet (3-4) used a conventional  three-point play by Lisa Schumacher and four points from Karen Berk to close to within 31-26 at the break.

Swarthmore used a 13-0 run of its own early in the second half to turn a four-point deficit into a 43-34 advantage with 13:18 left to play, but the Gophers came back to tie the score at 47-47 on a free throw by Shadae Swan (Baltimore, MD/St. Frances Academy) with 6:37 remaining and regain the lead (49-47) on a lay-up by Swan with 5:41 showing on the clock.

The rest of the way, however, Goucher was limited to just two points. The Garnet went ahead to stay on a three-point field goal by Ceylan Bodur with 5:00 left to play.

Down by only three points, the Gophers gained possession of the ball with less than :10 remaining and Swan got a decent look from behind the three-point stripe, but her shot came up a little short just as the buzzer sounded.

Swan, who didn't score from the field until she nailed a three-point attempt nearly two minutes into the second half, was the leading scorer for Goucher as she produced 20 points. Smith supplied the Gophers, who were 3-0 in the Sports & Recreation Center coming in, with 12 points.

Berk achieved a double-double of 25 points and 14 rebounds for Swarthmore as she was on the court for all but four minutes.