Gophers Capitalize on FT Opportunities to Down Panthers

14-0 Run In Second Half Leads to 67-48 Home Victory

TOWSON, Md. — Goucher made a "home" for itself at the free-throw line tonight against Ferrum in what was the Gophers' final game in the Decker Sports & Recreation Center until after the holidays.

But it wasn't just that head coach Leonard Trevino's squad was awarded 35 free-throw attempts compared to just 13 for the Panthers. Instead, it was more that the Gophers, who came into the game shooting just under 57 percent at the charity stripe, converted 27 of their foul shots for a season-high percentage of .771.

The Gophers ended up outscoring their opponent by 21 points at the free-throw line and the result was a 67-48 victory.

The Panthers (4-4) shot just .373 from the field and were guilty of 24 turnovers. Trae Lindsay (Baltimore, Md./Patapsco) was one of eight players with a steal for the Gophers, as he was credited not only with five steals, but also two blocked shots.

Goucher held the lead for the last 35:17 of the contest, erasing a 7-6 advantage for Ferrum on a jumper by Manney Wood (Washington, D.C./C.H. Flowers) just over four minutes into the game. The Gophers (3-6) went up by as many as nine points in the first half before being forced to settle for an eight-point cushion at intermission.

Out of the break, the teams spent the first 8:50 playing in a four-point window with the Gophers unable to increase their lead above eight, while still keeping Ferrum from making it a one-possession game.

A pair of free throws by Ed Oliver (Adelphi, Md./High Point) finally gave Goucher a double-digit advantage with 11:10 remaining, but the lead was reduced to six with just 7:52 left to play.

The Gophers responded with a 14-0 run over the next 6:43 to ice the game.

Richard Harris (Clinton, Md./Surrattsville) once again led Goucher in scoring, netting 19 points while going a perfect 4-of-4 from the free-throw line. Harris has been the team's top scorer in five of the seven games in which he has played.

Ferrum was led by Lamont King's game-high 20 points.

Goucher improves to 4-0 all-time against Ferrum in the sport of men's basketball with the win. The teams last played in 2002.

At halftime, commemorative rings were presented to members of the 2011-12 equestrian team which captured the IHSA Zone IV championship.