Eagles Pull Away From Gophers in Second Half

HUNTINGTON, Pa. -  Host Juniata College came alive in the second half to take a 69-49 Landmark Conference women's basketball win over Goucher College at Memorial Gymnasiumn Sunday evening. Maiya Villanueva lead Goucher in scoring with 14 points while two other Gophers followed with double figures.

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• Goucher (1-12, 1-5 Landmark) opened the scoring in the game with a three pointer by Villanueva 45 seconds in.
• Juniata (2-21, 1-5 Landmark) quickly countered, using a 5-0 run to take the early lead.
• A 10-4 Goucher run capped by a Merci Turner basket at the 2:28 mark put the guests in front 15-9
• The Gophers countered led 16-13 after the first 10 minutes.

• The Eagles quickly cut the Gophers lead to one in the second quarter.
• After a three pointer by Julia Cavoli, the Eagles went on a 8-0 scoring run, taking the lead 23-19 with 3:25 remaining in the half.
• After falling behind 28-21, Goucher scored the last five points of the quarter to bring the Gophers back within two points, 28-26, at intermission.

• Goucher opened the scoring after the break, putting the Gophers up 29-28 with 8:29 remaining in the quarter after a Villanueva three
• The Eagles used a 8-0 run to propel their lead over Goucher to 36-29, with a three pointer by Villanueva ending that run.
• In the final five minutes of the period, Juniata outscored Goucher by two points, with the Eagles entering the final quarter up 48-39.

• The lead grew steadily for the home team as it outscored Goucher 9-2 in the first five minutes of the quarter to build a 57-41 lead
• Darby Sherman scored the final points of the game with a three-pointer with 44 seconds left for the Gophers.

• Villanueva knocked down four three-pointers en route to her team-high 14 points.
• Briyah Haggins led the Gophers with eight rebounds and five assists, adding to her 12-point performance.
• Cavoli knocked down a pair of three-pointers and finished with 10 points.
• Goucher shot 27.9% overall and outshot Juniata beyond the arc, hitting nine of its 26 attempts.  The Gophers also went 6-7 at the free throw line.
• Juniata outrebounded Goucher 56-31 and shot 35.9% on the evening, connecting on three of its 18 three-pointers attempts. The Eagles also went 20-27 for free throws.

• Goucher is back in action on Friday, January 12^th, hosting Lycoming at 4pm at the Decker Sports and Recreation Center.