Defensive Struggles Send Goucher to Loss at Ferrum

FERRUM, Va. — Goucher's offense continued its strong start to the season against Ferrum this afternoon, scoring over 70 points for a fourth-consecutive game. The Gophers could not get a stop on the other end, however, leading to a 101-72 defeat in their road opener.

The Panthers (3-1) scored 54 points in the second half to reach the century mark. Goucher (2-2) lost its second-consecutive game.

Freshman Jesse Mondry (Medford, Ore./South Medford) led the Gophers with 20 points and 10 rebounds, registering his first career double-double. He hit 6 of 13 shots from the field and all six of his free throw attempts, and he has now scored in double figures in three of Goucher's first four games.

Julian Livingston (Bowie, Md./Fairmont Heights) added 13 points, while Troy DeShields (Seaford, Del./Sussex Technical) chipped in 11 points and five boards.

The Gophers never led in the contest. A pair of free throws from Tre Galloway III (Silver Spring, Md./Paint Branch) made it 16-15, Ferrum, with 11:36 left in the first half, but the Panthers would then go on a 14-0 run to take a commanding advantage.

A 3-pointer from Mondry cut the deficit back to 39-32 with 2:46 left before the break, but Ferrum scored eight of the final 10 points of the half to take a 47-34 lead into the locker room, and the Panthers maintained a double-digit lead throughout the second half.

Ferrum shot 54.4 percent from the field for the game, compared to 39.0 percent for the Gophers. The Panthers also had a 28-12 edge in assists.

Goucher had its best performance of the season from the free throw line, converting 20 of its 26 attempts. The Gopher starters went 11 for 11 combined from the charity stripe.

Jamal Pullen led Ferrum with 25 points.

Goucher returns to action on Sunday, Dec. 1, with a 3 p.m. matchup at Marymount.