Gophers Overcome 14 Point Deficit, Stay Alive in Landmark

MADISON, N.J. —Goucher overcame a 14-point deficit to stay alive in the Landmark Conference playoff hunt, defeating Drew in a nerve wracking 61-57 game.

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Gophers Overcome 14 Point Deficit, Stay Alive in Landmark
February 9, 2013

DeShields Scores Five Straight to Put Gophers Up

MADISON, N.J. — Goucher overcame a 14-point deficit to stay alive in the Landmark Conference playoff hunt, defeating Drew in a nerve wracking 61-57 game.

In the first half, Goucher (6-16, 4-8) Landmark) held the lead as late as at 17-15, but a 9-0 run put Drew (9-14, 3-9 Landmark) ahead.

The Rangers ended the half on a 23-6 run and scored the first point of the second half to grow the lead to the largest of the game, 14.

With 9:50 remaining, Julian Livingston (Bowie, Md./Fairmont Heights) finally made the lead a single possession with a three-pointer from Troy Parker Jr. (Baltimore, Md./Milford Mill).

After a pair of Drew baskets, Ed Oliver (Adelphi, Md./High Point) hit a free throw and Livingston and Parker each made layups to make the lead one.

The teams exchanged threes with Richard Harris (Clinton, Md./Surrattsville) slicing the lead to one yet again.

With 3:51 remaining, the Gophers finally got level when Troy DeShields (Seaford, Del./Sussex Technical) layed one in to make the score 55-55.

DeShields gave the Gophers their first lead since the first half 1:02 later with a three-point play.

After a Drew free throw, Goucher had a chance to ice the game after Livingston came down with an offensive board, but a jump ball went against the Gophers, giving Drew a chance.

After a runner went awry, Livingston pulled down another rebound and got the ball to Brian Morton II (Ellicott City, Md./Mount St. Joseph) who was fouled.

Morton missed the front end of the one-and-one, but chased down his own miss only to be fouled again. He hit one of the two free-throws to make the lead three.

Out of a timeout, the Gophers chose to foul in order to prevent a three-point attempt. John Ford missed one of two, forcing Drew to foul again.

Harris made both of his free throws to ice the game.

Four Goucher players finished in double figures, led by Livingston's 15. The Gophers outrebounded Drew 47-26.

With the win, Goucher stays alive in the Landmark Conference playoff hunt, needing wins in the last two games and some help. Drew is now eliminated.

In each of the six years since joining the conference, Drew and Goucher have split the season series of two games.