JAN. 2 — Poor shooting dooms Leafs in second MCC matchup of the season

Goshen shoots 31% from the field as they fall 61-54 to Spring Arbor

GOSHEN, Ind. – Following nearly a month’s hiatus from conference play, the Goshen College men’s basketball team returned to action Wednesday night against MCC opponent, Spring Arbor University.

However, unlike their first conference game, which saw the Maple Leafs upset Indiana Wesleyan University, Goshen left the court with a tough 54-61 loss. The Leafs now have a 1-1 record in conference play and a 13-3 record overall.

At the start of the game, things were looking good for the Leafs. Sophomores Nate West Jr. and Errick McCollum opened things up with a pair of quick three-pointers to jumpstart the offense and lay the foundation for a 24-14 lead midway through the half.

Offensively, Goshen appeared to be putting the pieces together. The team made 6 of 11 from three-point range and also turned in a field goal percentage of 42.9, effectively allowing it to expand its lead up to as many as 12 points before settling in at halftime with a 35-29 advantage.

Following the intermission, the Leafs returned to the floor and quickly opened up the scoring, increasing their lead to 37-29. However, following a string of Goshen turnovers, the momentum quickly shifted and Spring Arbor was able to pull even with 15 minutes remaining.

Sensing the momentum shift, Spring Arbor locked down on defense and continued to apply heavy pressure on Goshen, and with nine minutes to play, the Leafs found themselves with an eight-point deficit to overcome.

From this point, the Leafs would not see the score swing back in their favor as they were not able to get set offensively in the second half, shooting a dismal 19% from the field.

About their performance, Goshen head coach, Gary Chupp, said, “You are not going to win many games in this conference when you shoot 31%, including 19% in the second half. Part of the poor shooting was the defensive effort put forth by Spring Arbor, but I also thought that our shot selection was questionable at times."

Chupp added, "Even though we shot the ball poorly, I thought the game turned at the end of the first half and beginning of the second half. Playing with a 12-point lead, we lost our defensive intensity and allowed them back in the game. We have not yet learned how to play with a lead, and tonight it cost us."

Despite the team’s poor offensive performance, sophomore Errick McCollum was the game’s second leading scorer with 21 point. Nate West Jr. led all players in rebounding with 11.

With the loss, the Leafs now are in sixth place in the conference standings. Their next game will be against the University of St. Francis, who holds a 1-2 record in conference play. Game time is set for 7 p.m. and will be played at St. Francis.

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Sophomore Nate West Jr.