Goucher Faces the Nationally-Ranked No. 2 Team Scranton in Conference Play

BALTIMORE, MD - The Goucher College Gophers (5-12 overall; 1-9 conference) faced the No. 2-ranked Royals of Scranton University (17-0 overall; 10-0 conference) in a Landmark Conference matchup at the Decker Sports and Recreation Center. The Gophers battled the nationally ranked opponent but fell behind early as Scranton established control in the opening quarter, and maintained the lead for a 93-46 win.

Scranton set the tone early, scoring the first five points of the game, until Logan Davis put the Gophers on the board from the free-throw line, converting both attempts. Aniya McDaniel followed with a jump shot with 7:24 remaining in the first quarter, before Scranton added a seven-point run to their total. Davis and McDaniel accounted for the Gophers' early scoring before the Royals closed the quarter with a layup at the 1:37 mark. Scranton held a 19-8 lead heading into the second quarter.

Leila Townsend opened the scoring in the second quarter with a layup for the Gophers. The Royals responded with a 14-point scoring run before Chyanne Harris capped the run with a jump shot. Lauryn Towns later went to the line and sank both free throws. Scranton closed the half with a 16-point run and led 51-14 at halftime.

The Royals carried the momentum into the second, adding a 3-point shot seconds in. Sanai Knox scored the first basket for the Gophers in the third quarter with 8:59 remaining. After a brief scoring drought, the Royals added points from the free-throw line. Savannah Holmes contributed a free throw for Goucher, while Nia Edens ended another Scranton run with a three-point play. Scranton extended its lead to 71-20 before Davis answered with a layup. Townsend scored the final Goucher basket of the quarter with a layup with 14 seconds, as the Royals led 78-24 entering the fourth.

Scranton opened the final quarter with several baskets. Towns was the first Gopher to score in the quarter, hitting a jump shot with 6:47 remaining after a timeout. Goucher gained brief momentum with a 3-pointer from Edens and a layup by Davis. From the free-throw line, Davis and Townsend each converted both attempts. Davis added another layup before Nia George closed the scoring for the Gophers with a free throw and a 3-pointer. Scranton maintained its lead throughout the quarter and secured a 93-46 victory.

Davis led the Gophers, finishing with a double-double on the night, with 12 points and 12 rebounds. Edens followed with nine points and two steals.

Scranton held the statistical advantage, shooting 52.5% from the field compared to Goucher's 28.0%. The Royals converted 17 of 22 free throws, while the Gophers went 16-for-21. From the 3-point range, Goucher shot 15.4%, compared to Scranton's 48.0%.

The Gophers are set to return to action against Catholic on Wednesday, Jan. 28, at 5 p.m. in the Decker Sports and Recreation Center.