Cardinals Close Out Gophers with Late 25-11 Run
TOWSON, Md. — In the 21-year history of Goucher's men's basketball program, the Gophers have faced Catholic more times than any other opponent. Tonight in front of a crowd of 707 in the Decker Sports & Recreation Center, the two teams renewed acquaintances for the 47th time.
Crowd of 707 Watches Goucher vs. Catholic for 47th Time
TOWSON, Md. — In the 21-year history of Goucher's men's basketball program, the Gophers have faced Catholic more times than any other opponent. Tonight in front of a crowd of 707 in the Decker Sports & Recreation Center, the two teams renewed acquaintances for the 47th time.
A short-range jumper by freshman forward Emmanuel Wood (Washington, D.C./C. H. Flowers) midway through the second half allowed the Gophers to pull into a 46-46 tie, but the Cardinals went ahead to stay thanks to a basket by Andy Roell on their very next possession. Catholic outscored Goucher, 25-11, over the final 8:16 to secure a 73-57 Landmark Conference victory and assume a 35-12 advantage in the all-time series between the two teams.
The Cardinals (6-0, 1-0 Landmark) didn't take their first lead until Jason Banzhaf's lay-up 7:54 into the contest made the score 10-9. Banzhaf was also fouled on the play and made the free throw to put Catholic up by two.
The biggest avantage either team enjoyed in the first half was the 29-20 lead Roell provided the Cardinals when he knocked down a 3-point attempt with 1:31 remaining before halftime. The Gophers (1-4, 0-1 Landmark), however, closed out the period with five unanswered points and trailed just 29-25 at the break when sophomore post player Trae Lindsay (Baltimore, Md./Patapsco) got a medium-range jumper to drop just before the horn sounded.
A 9-4 run that featured three baskets by junior forward Marcus Cotton (Silver Spring, Md./Springbrook) and a 3-point field goal by junior forward Shane Yambor (Burtonsville, Md./Paint Branch) allowed the Gophers to whittle a seven-point deficit with 12:35 remaining down to 46-44 in just over three minutes. Wood's bucket on Goucher's next possession created the 46-46 tie.
Goucher was still within striking distance when sophomore guard Dorian Green (Baltimore, Md./Cardinal Gibbons) connected on a 3-point attempt with 3:02 left to play, but the Cardinals responded seven unanswered points over the next 1:37 to open up a 66-54 lead.
Lindsay was the leading scorer for Goucher as he produced 13 points. Yambor and Wood added 11 and 10 points, respectively.
Banzhaf contributed game-high totals of 19 points and 14 rebounds to the victory. Roell finished with 12 points.