TOWSON, Md.- Juniata had a double-digit lead late in the first but host Goucher battled back as the Gophers won 60-54 over the Eagles on Wednesday night at the Decker Sports and Rec Center. The loss snaps a three-game winning streak for JC as their record now stands at 14-5 overall and 7-3 in the Landmark.
The Eagles started the game on fire as they went ahead 7-0. The lead then grew to 12-2 with 14:11 to play. The Gophers were able to get to within six points with 12:13 showing on the game clock. The two teams went back and forth exchanging baskets for a little over two minutes of game time with the Blue and Gold still ahead.
With its lead sitting at seven, 21-14, Juniata went on a 5-0 run to go up 26-14 with 5:41 remaining in the half. Goucher countered with a 10-4 run to end the half as JC went into the locker room ahead only 30-24.
The Gophers continued their run into the second half as a 14-7 spurt gave them a 39-37 advantage at 11:56. After three ties and four lead changes, Goucher went ahead 44-43 at 8:31 and never trailed again.
It was a two-possession game, 53-47, with 2:28 to play in the game and the Eagles still had a chance to claim the win. A layup by Marcus Lee (Carrolltown, Pa./Bishop Carroll) with 1:28 left followed by a pair of free throws with 1:16 to play cut the deficit to 53-51. It was still a four-point contest, 58-54, with 25 ticks on the clock and the Eagles looked to get to within two points but Lee missed a layup, the Gophers rebounded, and they made two free throws with 13 seconds left to ice the win.
Lee led the Eagles in scoring with 14 points. Justin Fleming (Richmond, Va./Benedictine College Prep) chipped in 10 points, six rebounds, and six assists. Nate Ogle (Falls Church, Va./George Mason) pulled down a game-high 13 rebounds and contributed seven points.
Juniata had its lowest shooting percentage to date as they converted only 22-of-65 (33.8%) of its field goals but still did better than Goucher's 18-of-55 (32.7%) performance. Neither team shot well from beyond the three-point arc (14.3% for JC compared to 16.7% for the Gophers).
The teams were even in rebounds 43-43. The Gophers were tough on the defensive end with seven blocked shots and seven steals. Goucher controlled inside of the paint with a 26-20 advantage.
Juniata travels to Madison, N.J. to take on Drew this Saturday. Tip off will be at 2 p.m. The Eagles will be looking to exact some revenge on the Rangers as Drew won the first meeting of the season between the two teams back on January 2, 78-71.
