Gophers Can't Dig Way Out of Early 10-0 Hole

Gophers Can't Dig Way Out of Early 10-0 Hole

Jan. 18, 2008

SCRANTON, Pa. - Goucher spotted Scranton the first 10 points as the Royals earned a 72-60 Landmark Conference victory over the Gophers tonight.

Goucher came up empty on its first nine possessions, finally getting on the scoreboard on a basket in the paint by Amir Hakim (Baltimore, MD/Baltimore City College) 5:47 into the contest. Six points was as close as the Gophers (4-10, 2-2 Landmark) would get the remainder of the first half and the Royals (9-6, 1-3 Landmark) led at the break, 35-20.

Scranton's lead fluctuated between seven and 17 points the entire second half. The Gophers pulled to within 59-52 on a conventional three-point play by Marcus Cotton (Silver Spring, MD/Springbrook) with 4:25 left to play, but the Royals responded with six unanswered points to assume a 65-52 advantage with 2:48 remaining.

Cotton finished as the leading scorer for Goucher as the freshman forward knocked down a career-high 17 points before picking up his fifth foul in the final minute of play. Hakim supplied the Gophers with 11 points and Darrin Boswell II (Philadelphia, PA/Joppatowne) added 10.

For Scranton, Tom Bicknell matched his career-high for points in a game with his 21-point, 14-rebound effort.

This was the first meeting in the sport of men's basketball between the Gophers and Royals, who will square off again in the Sports & Recreation Center on February 17.