First Half Scoring Outburst Carries Host Royals to Victory

19-2 Run Dooms Formerly Top Seeded Gophers

SCRANTON, Pa. — Goucher scored first, but only managing one basket over the next 11:40, digging a hole that would prove to be insurmountable, falling 78-41.

Julian Livingston (Bowie, Md./Fairmont Heights) started the scoring on the first Goucher (5-9, 3-1 Landmark) possession, but the lead was short-lived.

After the teams exchanged turnovers, a three from Tommy Morgan put Scranton (12-3, 4-1 Landmark) ahead for good, starting a run in which the Royals scored the next 13 points, part of a 19-2 run.

During that 11:40 span, only Dylan Chaney (Columbia, Md./Wilde Lake) managed to hit on a field goal for the Gophers.

Goucher was able to overcome a similar scoring drought against Susquehanna on Wednesday, but this stretch proved to be too much to overcome.

The hosts upped their lead to as much as 29 in the first half before settling for a 41-16 halftime edge.

At intermission, the Royals held a 56.3% field goal percentage.

Coming out of the break, the teams echanged baskets with the score staying in a four point window for the first 10:33 of the frame, with the Royal lead bouncing between 25 and 28 points.

A 9-0 Run stretched the lead to 34 and the Royals never looked back, coasting to victory.

Ed Oliver (Adelphi, Md./High Point) was the only player for Goucher in double figures as he scored a dozen points on 5-of-8 shooting. He finished one point off the high mark for scoring, held by Jason Pierce.

Oliver and Pierce shared honors as the game's top rebounders with nine each.

With the win, Scranton replaces Goucher at the top of the Landmark Conference standings. The Royals have won all 11 games between the two teams.