Goucher Secures Playoff Berth for First Time in Program History

TOWSON, Md. - The Goucher College Gophers (14-11 Overall; 7-11 Conference) secured a Landmark Conference playoff berth for the first time in program history after beating the Wilkes University Colonels (0-25 Overall; 0-18 Conference) on senior night 103-82.

• Wilkes scored first in the game off the won jump ball, but Lauryn Towns responded a minute later and then recorded the block.
• Meona Boykin added a pair of free throws to tie the game for her first points in the contest.
• A steal from Boykin led to a made basket from Sanai Knox to bring the Gophers within two (7:28), and Nia Edens added a three-pointer to give the Gophers their first lead of the game.
• The Colonels reclaimed the lead with 4:55 remaining in the quarter, but a made basket by Knox ties the game shortly after.
• Chi Igwe and Amira Whitaker added back-to-back baskets off their own steals to put Goucher ahead.
• Whitaker added another basket with 1:50 left on the clock with an assist from Briyah Haggins. 
• Boykin finished another basket off her own steal with under a minute remaining in the quarter. 
• Maiya Villanueva added the final basket off the game, with another assist from Haggins to lead at the end of the quarter 27-19.

• The first five points of the quarter came from Leila Townsend off a three-pointer, and then an additional layup off her own steal.
• Merci Turner scored her first points of the game with a made three with an assist from Townsend (7:12).
• Igwe added another three for Goucher on an unassisted shot just under halfway through the second.
• After adding her fifth steal, Boykin finished a fast break layuo (4:58). 
• Nia George finishe dher first basket with a made three off another assist from Haggins. 
• An 8-0 run from the Colonels was capped by Whitaker from her offensive rebound.
• The Gophers ended the half with a five point run with baskets from Townsend and Villanueva, with a steal and assist from Knox. 
• Goucher led 57-40 going into halftime.

• Wilkes scored the first four points of the half, which was ended by a three-pointer by Boykin following a steal from Savannah Holmes. 
• Ava Cox added her first points in the content after drawing a foul and finishing a free throw (6:29).
• Villanueva finished another three-pointer from an assist from Boykin just under half way through the quarter.
• Key Vaselaros finished a jump shot to add to her night after the offensive rebound, to put the Gophers ahead 75-56 going into the final quarter.

• The first baskets of the final quarter came from Townsend following her own steal just 25 seconds in.
• Haggins scored her first points in the game with a three-pointer from a pass from Whitaker.
• In the span of 30 seconds, George added a made basket, a defensive rebound and an assist to a Whitaker basket (6:59).
• After a 5-0 Wilkes run, Haggins added to her totalo from the night with a made basket off her own rebound.
• Boykin secured her final steal of the game, and finished a three-pointer from a Vaselaros assistantt to out the Gophers up 95-69 with 4:36 remaining.
• Haggins and Whitaker teamed up again to put the Gophers to 101 points (1:39).
• The final basket in the contest came from Holmes to bring the final score to 103-82.

• Boykin led the Gophers with 25 points in the contest, she also added eight rebounds and six steals.
• Haggins recorded 12 rebounds, to lead the Gophers in this category, and also added two rebounds and eight points.
• Goucher outrebounded the Colonels 69-53, and scored 54 points off the 36 Wilkes turnovers. 
• Wilkes shot 43.8% in the game, going 5-20 beyond the arc, and finishing 60% from the charity stripe.
• Goucher shot 32.4% on the night, finishing 12-59 beyond the three point arc, they finished 67.9% of their free throws.

• The Gophers travel to face Catholic in the first round of the Landmark Conference Tournament on Tuesday, February 25th at 7pm. More information is available HERE.