FEB. 2 — Goshen suffers another tough MCC loss

Leafs fall 72-84 to Spring Arbor

SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – The Goshen College men’s basketball team continued battling through a tough conference schedule Saturday against the Cougars of Spring Arbor University. The Cougars, who had already beaten the Maple Leafs in an earlier matchup this season, once again proved to hold the upper hand as they defeated Goshen by an 82-74 final score.

Beginning in similar fashion to their previous game against Indiana Wesleyan University, Goshen got off to a hot start and would finish the first half shooting 51.7% from the field. However, Spring Arbor was able to match the Maple Leafs’ offensive production and led for most of the half.

Aiding the Cougars was the offensive presence of team scoring leader Josh Brandt, who converted on three attempts from three-point territory, helping to give Spring Arbor a 40-37 lead at the half and an overall mark of 57.7% from the field and 66.7% from beyond the arch.

The Second half would see another fairly even battle as Goshen was able to stay within reach of the Cougars, and even cutting the gap to as close as four points late in the half.

Goshen head coach Gary Chupp commented, "We certainly had our chances in the second half, but couldn't get over the hump. After cutting the lead to four with about five minutes left in the game, we had three straight empty possessions where we had soft turnovers. It's tough to win on the road when you fail to capitalize on those opportunities."

Possibly one of the most crucial of these possessions came in the closing minutes as the Cougar defense clamped down on Goshen sophomore Errick McCollum as he cut towards the basket attempting to cut the Maple Leaf deficit to two points.

McCollum’s attempt was denied by Spring Arbor’s defenders as they forced a turnover and took possession without allowing any type of shot. On the same play Goshen was called for a flagrant foul and the Cougars were given a chance to seal the victory by making both free-throw attempts and then converting on their next trip down the floor to make it an eight point lead.

Following the game, coach Chupp added, "The last three minutes I thought we defended extremely well, but they hit some very difficult shots at the end of the shot clock."

Despite the tough result, the Leafs still had a reasonably solid game. They shot 48.1% from the field and converted on 85.7% of all free-throw attempts. Errick McCollum again led Goshen in scoring with 25 points, while senior Brice Hartman followed with 18. Nate West Jr. almost tallied another double-double as he grabbed 9 rebounds and scored 13 points.

The loss drops Goshen to seventh place in the MCC standings with a record of 4-6 in conference play and 16-8 overall. Their next game will be at home against the University of St. Francis Cougars who are 3-8 in MCC play and sit in the eighth position.

Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 6 in Goshen College’s Gingerich Recreation-Fitness Center.

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Junior Kyle Laker