Griffins Outlast Gophers 55-43

TOWSON, Md. - Visiting Gwynedd Mercy University never trailed as it downed Goucher College 55-43 in non-conference men's basketball Wednesday evening at the Decker Sports and Recreation Center.

• Both teams traded early baskets before the Griffins (1-5) used a 9-0 run to take an 11-2 lead with just over 12 minutes left in the first half.
• A basket by Jacob Morgan (Bowie, Md./Bowie) at the 11:38 mark halted the Gwynedd Mercy run.
• Five straight points capped by a Morgan conventional three-point play put Goucher within four, 13-9, at the 8:08 mark.
• A 7-2 spurt by the guests put them up 20-11 with just under three minutes left before the break.
• Gwynedd Mercy took a 24-16 lead into the locker room.

• Goucher cut the lead to six on its first possession of the second half on a basket by Josh Lichti (Harrisonburg, Va./Harrisonburg).
• Leading 28-20, a 5-0 Griffin spurt put the visitors in front by 13, 33-20, with 15:31 to go.
• The Gophers whittled the lead to nine twice, the second time on a Brandon Joseph (Bowie, Md. / Annapolis Area Christian) layup with 13:31 left.
• A 10-0 Gwynedd run capped by a putback made it 45-26 with just over nine minutes to go.
• Two Morgan free throws capped a 6-0 Gopher spurt with 6:18 left.
• A layup by Mal Graham (Grasonville, Md./Kent Island) with 2:34 to go cut the lead to 11, 49-38.
• The guests responded with the next five points to put the game away.

• First year Morgan led the Gophers with 17 points on 7-18 shooting.  He also grabbed eight rebounds and had five steals and a pair of assists.
• Morgan has finished in double figures in scoring in four of the five games he has appeared in.
• Lichti added 11 points, while Joseph finished with six points, seven boards and three blocked shots.
• Gwynedd Mercy, which held a 45-34 rebounding advantage it turned into a 16-6 lead in second chance points, shot 37.3% overall.
• The Gophers shot 29.3% overall.
• Goucher was 8-8 at the free throw line, while the Griffins finished 7-8.
• The Gophers held a 19-7 advantage in fast break points on the night.

• The Gophers travel to the University of Scranton to open Landmark Conference play on Saturday, December 3.  Game time is set for 4 pm.
• Goucher is back at the Decker Sports and Recreation Center next Wednesday, December 7 as it hosts Gallaudet in a 7:30 pm tip.