Goshen, IN — After succinct scoring droughts had plagued the Goshen College women’s basketball team on and off throughout Mid-Central Conference competition this season, Saturday’s 62-56 win over 25th-ranked Marian College just might have ended that problem. The Leafs — which had played their opponents very tough over the last two weeks, save for certain 10-minute stretches within those games — were able to avoid any such issues Saturday at the Roman Gingerich Center. True, Marian did hold a 26-21 advantage at halftime, but Goshen kept the game close throughout before slowly building a seven-point lead late in the second period for the 62-56 win.

“We had several keys to this win, with the first being that we were able to avoid any long first period lapses, and we were able to stay close at the half unlike what we have been doing lately,” said Steve Wiktorowski, Goshen head coach. “Being in a close game at the half may have given us some added confidence, and we played well enough to pull it out down the stretch.”

In Goshen’s last four losses, Wiktorowski’ team had been outscored by 70 points in first halves, compared to just nine points in the latter 20 minute periods. Saturday, a strong defensive effort coupled with consistent scoring kept the game close throughout the first period. Marian could only generate 26 points on an 11 for 28 effort from the floor (36.8 percent), while Goshen connected on seven of 19 attempts (36.8 percent).

“In addition to us being a little more consistent on the offensive end, I thought we did very well defensively,” Wiktorowski said. “Marian has an excellent high-low game, and we did about as well as I could have hoped against it defensively.”

The Leafs continued their defensive prowess in the second period, slowly building a lead behind 43.5 percent shooting from the floor (10 for 23) while holding Marian to just a 10 for 27 effort (37 percent). As Goshen (11-15, 3-8) began to give the Knights fits on the interior, Marian began firing from long range, and with little success: The Knights converted just three of 20 three-point attempts on the afternoon (15 percent), including a zero for 10 clip in the second half.

And while Goshen increased its offensive play from the floor in the second half, the Leafs utilized the free throw line in a fashion similar to that of last season’s success: Wiktorowski’s team knocked in 19 of 21 from the line in the second half (90.5 percent), compared to just a 10 for 14 effort (71.4 percent) by Marian.

“We did a good job of making the free throw a big part of our offense, and we were able to hit key ones late to seal the win,” Wiktorowski said. “When we are aggressive and confident offensively, it’s apparent by how often we can get to the line.”

Goshen was led by senior Candice Williams’ 16 points on five of 13 shooting, while classmate Erin McDugle tallied 14 points on a four of 11 effort from the floor. Senior Kortney Hanson and freshman Kelsy McKee each scored 13 points while handing out three assists apiece. Junior Jennifer Rupp knocked in five points to go with four rebounds. McKee led the team on the glass, grabbing seven boards, four of which came on the offensive end.

“While we had four players score in double figures, I thought the play of (junior) Ashley Woodlee, who only had one point, was as important as anyone’s,” Wiktorowski said. “She played great defense, took care of the ball and helped on the boards (with four rebounds). Candice was aggressive offensively for the second straight game, and Kortney Hanson and Erin McDugle did a good job of giving us some combined inside-outside offense. Hopefully we can continue some of the offensive consistency we showed today into two tough games this coming week.”

The tasks get no easier for Goshen, as the team must travel to Marion, Ind. on Wednesday night to face the nation’s fourth-ranked team in Indiana Wesleyan University. Game time is set for 7 p.m.