Eagles Clinch Spot in Playoffs by Turning Back Gophers

Goucher Falls Short of 50 Points for Fourth Time in 2011-12

HUNTINGDON, Pa. — Among the five starters for Goucher, only Troy Parker Jr. (Baltimore, Md./Milford Mill) was able to score in double figures against Juniata this afternoon and he was able to produce only 12 points.

Other than the 11 points that Manney Wood (Washington, D.C./C. H. Flowers) delivered off the bench, the other five reserves who got into the game for the Gophers combined to score just three additional points.

Put it all together and for the fourth time this season, Goucher was held below 50 points. The Eagles clinched a spot in the Landmark Conference's upcoming postseason tournament by defeating the Gophers, 67-49.

Goucher got on the scoreboard first, taking a 3-0 lead on a 3-point field goal by Damon Brooks (Takoma Park, Md./Springbrook) just :17 into the contest. Juniata, however, responded with a barrage of baskets — 10 in total, four from 3-point range and the other six counting just two points — which allowed the Eagles (17-7, 9-4 Landmark) to assume a 24-13 advantage midway through the first half.

By halftime, Juniata was out in front 38-24.

Goucher's deficit fluctuated between 12 and 23 points throughout the second half.

The Gophers (4-19, 1-12 Landmark) were just 13-for-44 from the field (.295). They were slightly better — 3-for-9 (.333) — on 3-point attempts.

Juniata's Kevin Stapleton led all scorers with 15 points.