Goucher's Three-Game Run Against Mariners Ends

TOWSON, Md. — Goucher and Merchant Marine entered today's matchup both looking for their first Landmark victory of the 2014-15 season. Though the Gophers led for the entire first half, they were held to only 19 points after the intermission as the Mariners rallied for a 57-48 victory.

Amaka Ezeani (Silver Spring, Md./Paint Branch) had 17 points on 7 of 10 shooting from the floor for Goucher, and the junior center also tied a career-high with six blocks.

Merchant Marine (3-15, 1-11 Landmark) committed 17 turnovers in the opening 20 minutes. The Gophers turned those giveaways into 12 points on the other end, and they led by as many as nine points before ultimately taking a 29-26 advantage into the break.

The Mariners took better care of the ball in the second half, however, and a 3-pointer from Demi VanDerWal gave them their first lead of the contest at 31-29 with 17:15 remaining. That basket was part of a 15-4 run to start the frame which put the visitors up 41-33.

Goucher stayed within range of a comeback attempt for most of the half, and a layup from Ezeani cut the deficit to 49-44 with 4:40 to play. The Gopher offense, however, managed only one more field goal the rest of the way to seal the defeat.

Tonight's win snapped a three-game winning streak for Goucher in the all-time series between the two teams. Tichina Carmon led the Merchant Marine attack with 16 points and 11 rebounds, while Samantha Drake chipped in 14 points.

The Mariners shot 37.7 percent from the field, compared to 30.9 percent for the Gophers. Merchant Marine also held a 49-37 edge on the glass, including 18 offensive rebounds.

Ezeani was the only Goucher player to crack double figures. Adrienne Flowers (Columbia, Md./St. Vincent Pallotti) contributed eight points and six rebounds off the bench, while Briana Bull (Baltimore, Md./Owings Mills) finished with eight points and four steals. Bull is now tied for third in the Landmark with 48 thefts this season.

The Gophers (4-15, 0-11 Landmark) now have a week off before their next contest, a 2 p.m. road matchup at Elizabethtown next Saturday.