Mariners Overcome Free Throw Woes, Win Landmark Opener

Butler Totals a Career High With 24 Points

KINGS POINT, N.Y. — The U.S. Merchant Academy missed 21 times from the charity stripe, but still ended up with 13 more made free throws than Goucher in a 51-46 victory.

Goucher (1-5, 0-1 Landmark) had more made baskets, rebounds and assists than the Mariners, but could not overcome 28 turnovers and a 38-7 differential in free throw attempts.

Latifah Butler (Annapolis, Md./Annapolis) notched her first career 20-point game as the game's leading scorer with 24. In addition, she extended her streak of consecutive games with double-digit rebounds to five as she pulled down 12 rebounds.

Also earning a double-double was TaQuasia Lambert (Brooklyn, N.Y./Patapsco (Md.)) with 10 rebounds and 10 points.

For Merchant Marine (3-0, 1-0 Landmark), Tamara Kelleh had 16 points and Kristina Walz had 16 boards.

Goucher raced out to a 10-2 lead early in the first half and held onto an advantage for much of the frame. The Mariners did not have an advantage until 1:38 remaining before the half.

The two teams headed into intermission in a 22-22 deadlock.

After splitting the first 16 points of the second period, the Mariners took the lead for the final time at 32-30. Marlee Chovich scored four consecutive points to extend the lead to six, giving the hosts a buffer.

After Goucher pulled back within a single possession, Merchant Marine responded with five straight to extend its lead once again.

The Gophers hung tough, bringing the game back to a single possession with 1:07 remaining, but Walz corralled an offensive rebound forcing a foul to wrap up the contest.