von Ende Leads Charge as Gophers Turn Back Red Devils

Goucher's First Win vs. Centennial Conference Since 2002-03

TOWSON, Md. — By shooting nearly 62 percent from the field in the first half, Goucher headed to its locker room at the break tonight up eight points on Dickinson. The Gophers cooled off a bit in the second period and even surrendered the lead when Bridget Borgese made a layup with 11:35 left to play to put the Red Devils ahead for the first time since the opening four minutes of the contest.

On Goucher's subsequent possession, Elizabeth von Ende (Leawood, Kan./American Hebrew Academy) nailed a jumper to create a 37-37 tie and then went on to tally eight additional points during a 21-4 run by the Gophers that carried head coach Didi Cotton's squad to a 60-52 triumph.

von Ende, who was held to two points in the first half, finished with a game-high total of 18 points. She also grabbed eight rebounds, dished out five assists and made four steals.

By the time the decisive 21-4 spurt ended with a layup by Kiara Doughty (Salisbury, Md./Wicomico), the Gophers (1-1) were ahead 56-41 and there were under five minutes left to be played.

The Red Devils (0-2) saw that as enough time, however, to make one last attack. Starting with a free throw by Lindsay Finnerty, they reeled off 11 consecutive points and closed to within 56-52 on a pair of foul shots by Taylor Miller with :31 showing on the clock.

After von Ende converted four free throws during the final 22 seconds of the contest, Goucher had its first victory over a member of the Centennial Conferene since the Gophers defeated Washington (Md.) back during the 2002-03 season.

Doughty contributed 11 points and eight rebounds to the win. Sharnell Huff (Bowie, Md./Bowie) and Sherlanda Buskey (Williamsburg, Va./Jamestown) added 10 points apiece.

Dickinson had a pair of double-digit scorers in Miller and Borgese, both with 11 points.