Eagles Knock Gophers Out of Playoff Contention

Eagles Knock Gophers Out of Playoff Contention

Cotton Combines 17 Points, 12 Rebounds for First Double-Double

February 8, 2009

TOWSON, Md. – Goucher trailed by just a point as the clock was ticking down to 1:00 remaining against Juniata today, but the Gophers had just regained possession of the ball thanks to a turnover by the Eagles.

The Gophers, however, not only came up empty on that possession, but a free throw by Pat Bailey (Rockville, Md./Magruder) produced the only point they were able to score the rest of the way as the Eagles prevailed 80-72 in game between two teams that started the day tied for fifth place in the Landmark Conference.

The loss officially ended the Gophers' chances of earning a berth in the upcoming Landmark Conference postseason tournament.

Eric Muesler's lay-up with :57 showing on the clock provided Juniata with a 74-71 lead and then the Gophers put Jeff Berkey at the free-throw line four times down the stretch and he responded by making six of his seven attempts.

Berkey also tallied the final points of the first half. His three-pointer with :33 remaining before halftime trimmed a seven-point Goucher lead down to 38-34.

The Eagles (6-16, 4-7 Landmark Conference) used a run of 12 unanswered points early in the second half to turn an eight-point deficit into a 46-42 advantage. Later in the period, it was Goucher that was trailing by eight but the Gophers (5-15, 3-8 Landmark) were able to overcome that with a 12-2 run, regaining the lead on a lay-up by Steve Musenga (Germantown, Md./Good Counsel) with 6:23 left to play.

Juniata went ahead to stay on a conventional three-point play by Dave Thompson with 5:05 remaining. His lay-up snapped a 64-64 tie and the free throw put the Eagles ahead 67-64.

Berkey led all scorers as he contributed 25 points to the victory.

Marcus Cotton (Silver Spring, Md./Springbrook) was Goucher's leading scorer and rebounder as he tallied 17 points and grabbed 12 rebounds for his first double-double of the season.

Musenga supplied the Gophers with 14 points and Joel Smith (Nottingham, England/Cardinal Gibbons) came off the bench to score a season-high 13 points.