Hot Shooting Early Helps Rangers Get By Gophers

Turnovers Cost Gophers Despite Stellar Defensive Stretch

TOWSON, Md. — Drew hit on 52.0% of its field goal attempts in the first half, including half its three pointers, building an insurmountable early lead.

After Drew (6-11, 2-4 Landmark) scored the first basket of the game, Amaka Ezeani (Silver Spring, Md./Paint Branch) scored from the paint to even the score at 2-2. The freshman finished with a team-high and career-best 12 points.

This would prove to be the last time Goucher (5-11, 1-5 Landmark) would tie the game, however, as the Rangers responded with an 8-0 run, creating a lead they would never relinquish.

Goucher tried to respond, pulling within three courtesy of a Shante Atkinson (Millersville, Md./Old Mill) layup and old fashioned three-point play from TaQuasia Lambert (Brooklyn, N.Y./Patapsco), but the Gophers could never get closer.

A 10-0 Drew run to end the half left the Gophers in a 34-17 hole at the break, with the Rangers shooting 13-for-25 from the floor, including 3-for-6 on threes.

Drew only made one field goal over the first 11:24 of the second half, but turnovers cost the Gophers a chance to make a major dent in the lead. The Rangers forced 25 Goucher turnovers, marking the third straight game in which the Gophers have had at least 25 turnovers.

Sharnell Huff (Bowie, Md./Bowie) joined Ezeani in double figures with 11 points. Lambert finished with the most rebounds in the game, 9.