TOWSON, MD – The Juniata women's basketball team recorded their first Landmark Conference victory of the season with a 45-43 victory over the Goucher Gophers Tuesday night.
The game was tied up at 43-all with the clock winding down to three seconds. The Gophers would foul, sending Juniata sophomore forward Rachael Anstine (York, PA / Dallastown) to the line. Anstine sank both shots with ease to give JC the two-point advantage.
The Gophers missed the jump shot and Natalie Hager (Franklin, PA / Franklin) recorded her 10th rebound of the game to secure the victory for Juniata.
Anstine led the Eagles offensively with a team-leading 14 points. She went 8-10 from the foul line and recorded five rebounds.
Hager finished with eight points and 10 rebounds. Bethany Spencer (York, PA / York Suburban) followed with six rebounds and Sarah Sherman (Lansdale, PA / Methacton) with five.
Bailey Swogger (Tyrone, PA / Bellwood-Antis) picked up four rebounds, three assists, three steals and one block in her first start of the season.
The team's 52 total rebounds allowed them to hold an 18-9 advantage in second chance points over the Gophers.
Goucher outscored the Eagles 26-20 in the second half, making up for the eight-point deficit they faced heading into halftime, but Anstine's shots at the line and Hager's rebound stopped their comeback short.
Juniata found success at the line throughout the game, finishing 18-24 and limiting the Gopher's opportunities to 13.
Katy Leamer (Altoona, PA / Bellwood-Antis) led the effort off the bench with six points, four rebounds and one steal.
The Eagles continue conference play when they host the Elizabethtown Blue Jays Thurs. Jan. 7 at 7pm.