Cold Shooting Dooms Gophers in Defeat to Moravian

TOWSON, Md. — Goucher's defense once again did enough to get the team its first Landmark win of the season, holding the second-highest scoring team in the conference to 62 points for the game.

The offense, however, continued to struggle, as the Gophers shot only 25.8 percent from the field in a 62-44 defeat to Moravian at the Decker Sports & Recreation Center this evening.

The Gophers (4-10, 0-6 Landmark) remained winless against the perennially powerful Greyhounds (9-6, 5-2 Landmark) since the formation of the conference eight seasons ago. Alexis Wright led Moravian with 18 points and nine rebounds.

Both teams struggled offensively in the opening 20 minutes, with neither shooting above 20 percent. It was the Greyhounds, though, who took a 24-17 advantage into the intermission. Goucher made only 5 of 30 shots from the field, but the Gophers converted 7 of 9 attempts from the free throw line to remain within striking distance.

Moravian, which was 7 of 35 from the floor heading into the second half, was much improved after the break, hitting 50 percent of its shots (15-30) to close out the game. The Greyhounds outscored Goucher 26-7 in the first 10 minutes after halftime to open up a comfortable 50-25 lead, and they were never threatened the rest of the way.

Amaka Ezeani (Silver Spring, Md./Paint Branch) finished with 10 points and seven rebounds off the bench to lead the Gopher attack. Olivia Nono (Silver Spring, Md./Montgomery Blair) added eight points and a team-high nine boards, while Briana Bull, Bri Prince (Coopersburg, Pa./Southern Lehigh) and India Perkins (Brentwood, Md./Bladensburg) each grabbed eight rebounds. Goucher, which had 19 offensive rebounds in the contest, held a slim 49-48 edge on the glass overall.

Turnovers hurt the Gophers all evening, as Moravian turned 24 Goucher giveaways into 16 points on the other end. The 24 turnovers were a new season high.

The Gophers will remain at home for their next game, a 5 p.m. tilt against Landmark newcomer Elizabethtown this Saturday.