Gophers Vault Into Three-Way Tie for Second Place

Yambor Couples 16 Points, 12 Rebounds for Second Double-Double

TOWSON, Md. — Goucher joined Catholic and Scranton in a three-way tie for second place in the Landmark Conference by turning back Juniata, 58-54, tonight in front of a crowd of 324 in the Decker Sports & Recreation Center.

The Gophers (4-8, 2-1 Landmark) appeared headed toward a more comfortable victory when they opened up a 55-45 lead on a pair of free throws by Dorian Green (Baltimore, Md./Cardinal Gibbons) with :47 remaining, but the Eagles wouldn't roll over. Juniata reduced its deficit by four points when Jeff Berkey was fouled while hitting a three-point attempt with :28 showing on the clock. Berkey added the free throw, making the score 55-49.

Following a free throw by Shane Yambor (Burtonsville, Md./Paint Branch) that restored Goucher's advantage to seven points, the Eagles (6-8, 1-2 Landmark) closed to within 56-51 on a layup by Alex Raymond with just :05 left to play.

Ryan Jones then stole the inbounds pass and quickly launched a three-pointer that went in, further reducing Goucher's lead to 56-54. Finally, with :00.2 on the clock, Green put the game out of reach by sinking two more free throws.

Free-throw shooting has cost the Gophers in a couple of close games so far this season, but tonight they flourished at the charity stripe. Of the 27 free throws they attempted in the second half, they made 20 (.741), and it was 10-of-12 in just the final 1:50.

Yambor, who was 8-of-10 at the foul line, led all scorers as he produced 16 points. Coupled with his career-high 12 rebounds, the sophomore attained only the second double-double of his career.

Green and Kyle Gladden (Baltimore, Md./Lansdowne) both finished 5-of-6 on free throws for Goucher; Tim Alexander (Hagerstown, Md./Williamsport) was 4-of-5.

Reggie Suggs (Baltimore, Md./Walbrook), who sat out Friday night's 70-64 triumph over Susquehanna due to an injury, played 16 minutes against Juniata. He made only two baskets, but each one broke a tie during the second half, plus he blocked two shots and came up with two crucial steals.

The Eagles took their one and only lead of the contest on their very first possession when a jumper by Matt Regan put them up 2-0. There was one four-minute stretch of the first half when neither team scored, but it ended when Trae Lindsay (Baltimore, Md./Patapsco) followed his own miss to put the Gophers up 20-9.

Goucher, which enjoys a 3-2 edge in the all-time series between the two schools, led 24-17 at halftime.