Nationally-Ranked Cardinals End Gophers' Playoff Hopes

Back-to-Back Double-Doubles for Freshman Livingston

TOWSON, Md. — Goucher received the help it needed from Scranton to stay alive for a Landmark Conference playoff berth, but could not hold up its end of the bargain, losing to Catholic, 71-43.

The two teams were very competitive early.

Julian Livingston (Bowie, Md./Fairmont Heights) hit a three early to give Goucher (6-17, 4-9 Landmark) an early 3-2 lead.

After Catholic (21-2, 11-1 Landmark) regained the lead, Dylan Chaney (Columbia, Md./Wilde Lake) made a basket to get the Gophers back within two. On the next trip down the floor, Trae Lindsay (Baltimore, Md./Patapsco) blocked a shot, rebounded by Chaney. The junior guard used a one-handed outlet pass to gave it back to Lindsay for a dunk to tie the game at 11. 

After another Lindsay block, Troy Parker Jr. (Baltimore, Md./Milford Mill) put the Gophers back on top at 13-11, for the team's final lead of the game. Lindsay would finish with four rejections on the game.

Parker's basket was the only field goal the team would make over a span of 9:34 however, letting the Cardinals get up by as much as nine in the first half.

Catholic scored 16 of the first 20 points in the first 7:05 of the second frame, blowing the game open.

Only one player scored in double-figures for the Gophers and only one player pulled down double-digit rebounds for the team, and both totals belonged to Livingston. The freshman had 11 apiece for his second straight double-double.

The No. 13 Cardinals had four of their five starters notch at least ten points, led by Nate Koenig's 18 points. Koenig also pulled down 10 rebounds to lead his team.

Both teams finished with eight turnovers. For Goucher, that matches a season low for turnovers. Catholic came into this weak leading the nation by only turning the ball over 9.6 times per game.

With the win, Catholic locks up the top seed in the Landmark Conference tournament.