Crusaders Withstand Gophers' Second Half Charge

TOWSON, Md. — In a game ruled by defense, Susquehanna got just enough extra points from the free throw line to spoil Goucher's final home game of the 2014-15 season.

The Gophers managed 19 made field goals compared to 16 for their opponents, but the Crusaders used an 11 point advantage from the charity stripe to eke out a 51-45 win at the Decker Sports & Recreation Center.

Susquehanna (17-7, 10-5 Landmark), which clinched a playoff spot with the victory, shot 16 of 22 from the line while Goucher managed only nine attempts, with five successful conversions.

Dominique White (Reisterstown, Md./Franklin) was the only Gopher in double figures, contributing 10 points and three rebounds off the bench. India Perkins (Brentwood, Md./Bladensburg) added a career-high 13 rebounds to go along with six points and three assists.

Offense was at a premium from the onset, with neither team reaching double digits until Nikki Komara sank a pair of free throws to give the Crusaders an 11-8 edge with 7:37 left in the first half. Susquehanna closed out the remainder of the half strong, leading by as many as nine points on two separate occasions before ultimately taking a 24-17 lead into the intermission.

Goucher shot only 21.9 percent in the opening 20 minutes, but the Gophers improved up to 40 percent in the second half. The Crusaders still maintained a lead between four and eight points for the majority of the frame, but with the score at 40-32 and 8:01 showing on the clock, Bri Prince (Coopersburg, Pa./Southern Lehigh) hit a layup to start a 9-2 Goucher run.

That run was capped by White's second 3-pointer of the game, making it 42-41, Susquehanna, with 3:35 to go. The Gophers had not been closer since Komara's two free throws midway through the opening half.

The next five points, though, went to the Crusaders, including a clutch 3-pointer from Angie Schedler to up the advantage to six with 1:45 left. White hit a layup on the next trip down, but Susquehanna responded with a layup and two final made free throws to close out the win.

Schedler had 12 points to lead the visitors, while Jonaida Williams chipped in 11 points and eight boards.

Tonight was the final home game for Goucher senior Adrienne Flowers (Columbia, Md./St. Vincent Pallotti), and she responded by tying a season-high with eight points, hitting 4 of 8 shots from the floor. Briana Bull (Baltimore, Md./Owings Mills) added nine points, five assists and three steals.

The Gophers (4-19, 0-15 Landmark) have one more chance to get in the Landmark Conference win column when they travel to Merchant Marine for a 2 p.m. matchup on Saturday.