Second Half Mistakes Leads to Season Opening Loss

Winchester, VA - The Goucher Women's Basketball team turned the ball over 22 times which led to 21 points for Shenandoah University and ultimately led to a season opening loss of 64-59 on Tuesday night. Junior, Briana Bull (Baltimore, MD) led the Gophers with 21 points and 8 rebounds. Freshman, Shalom Omo-Osagie (Baltimore, MD) chipped in 10 points and also 8 rebounds. Senior, Jaida Scarborough (Baltimore, MD) dished out 10 assists and was the third Goucher player to have 8 rebounds.

Shenandoah had three players in double figures, led by Olivia Callan with 16 points, Erin French with 14 points, and Mary Severin with 10 points.  Both French and Severin each had 9 rebounds to lead the Hornets.

How It Happened:

·     After the first quarter was tied at 12-12, both teams traded the lead in the first three and half minutes of the second quarter, until the Gophers started at 9-0 run and lead 25-19 with 2:50 until halftime.

·     The Hornets hung tough and pulled within 30-26 at halftime after going on their own 5-0 run in the final 51 seconds of the second quarter.

·     The Gophers scored on the first possession of the third quarter when Freshman, Katie Pacak (Annandale, VA) made a lay-up and on their next possession Bull made two free throws to push the lead back up to eight points, 34-26.

·     But the Hornets continued to stay in the game by hitting key shots and converting on the turnovers committed by the Gophers to take the lead entering the fourth quarter 47-45.

·     The game was tied at 49-49 until Kirstyn Arcata hit a three-point shot with 6:56 left in the game to put Shenandoah up 52-49.

·     The Hornets pushed their lead to as much as seven points and the Gophers pulled within three points several times, but two key free throws by Callan with only seven seconds to play, extended Shenandoah's lead to five points and the final score of 64-59.

Coach's Daniel's Thoughts:

·     "Tough loss on the road especially when we had chances to extended our lead in the second quarter and beginning of the third quarter".

·     "I give Shenandoah a lot of credit for taking advantage of our 22 turnovers and defensive lapses especially in the second half".

·     "We have to learn from our mistakes and get ready for our two games this upcoming weekend.  While we are disappointed in the loss, this team knows what we need to do to improve moving forward."

Next Up:

·     The Gophers return to action this Friday, November 18 and Saturday, November 19 when they travel to Roanoke College to play in the Jean Beamer Tip-Off Classic.  Goucher takes on the host Roanoke College on Friday, November 18 at 3 PM.