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NOV.
27 — Leafs Outlast Albion In Defensive Slugfest
Goshen
holds visitors to 24.4 percent shooting in 49-47 OT win |
Goshen,
IN — It may not have been the most aesthetically pleasing
game to transpire in the history of the Roman Gingerich Center,
but Goshen’s 49-47 overtime win over 24th-ranked Albion
College (NCAA Div. III) left nothing to be desired from a competitive
standpoint. In a game that saw neither team connect on more than
32 percent of its shots, it was the Maple Leafs that were slightly
better both offensively and defensively, handing the visiting
Britons their first loss of the season in rugged fashion.
“This was a big win for us,” said Steve Wiktorowski, Goshen head
coach. “We didn’t do anything well on the stat sheet, but we found
a way to win a game that could have gone either way.”
Goshen (5-4, 0-1) shot just 18 for 55 from the field (32.7 percent) on the afternoon,
but held Albion to a lowly 19 for 78 performance (24.4 percent) that included
a seven for 38 (18.4 percent) first half debacle that helped the Leafs to a 25-19
first half lead. Albion was able to stay close in the game largely due to its
48 rebounds — the first time in Goshen College history that an opponent
secured more total rebounds than points scored — including 24 offensive
boards which allowed the Britons 23 more shot attempts than the Leafs.
“We didn’t shoot or rebound at all like we can, but we played very
good defense on their excellent perimeter shooters,” Wiktorowski said. “Our
transition defense was better, and when we started the second half a little soft,
we picked it back up very quickly, got some big stops and were able to persevere
at the end.”
After taking a lead through all but the opening minute in the first period — Goshen’s
largest lead was 22-10 at the 4:53 mark — the Leafs allowed Albion back
into the game at the start of the second half thanks in large part to three turnovers
in the first three minutes. The Britons were able to tie the game a 29-29 at
the 16:03 mark, and neither team would lead by more than six points for the remainder
of the way.
With scores extremely hard to come by, it was Goshen that looked to have the
game safely in hand with a 45-40 lead at the 3:39 mark. Little had changed with
55 seconds to play, as Goshen still claimed a 45-41 lead. An Albion made layup,
followed by a Goshen turnover made the score 45-43, Goshen, and a Briton layup
off an inbounds pass with 17 seconds to play tied the score at 45-45. Goshen
could not get a shot off in its ensuing possession, and the contest went into
extra minutes.
The teams would combine for just six points in the overtime period, and it
was Goshen that got four of them. A made free throw by senior Erin McDugle
and a
big baseline jump shot from junior Jenn Rupp made the score 48-45 with 1:47 to
play. Albion was able to score a layup at the 1:34 mark, but senior Kortney Hanson
knocked in the first of two free throws — Goshen committed a lane violation
to take away her second attempt — to make the score 49-47. Albion’s
Jamie Fornett had a look at the basket at the buzzer, but her jump shot was long
as time expired.
Incredibly, Goshen was able to place three players in double-figure scoring in
its lowest offensive output of the season, with senior Candice Williams and freshman
Kelsy McKee leading the way with 15 points each. McDugle chipped in 14, while
Williams collected a game high six rebounds to go with four assists.
“We got off to a good start and had a lot of people contribute the first
half,” Wiktorowski said. “Jenn Rupp and (freshman) Sarah Arnold were
both steadying influences off the bench, and (junior) Ashley Woodlee took good
care of the ball. Erin McDugle played her most minutes so far and Kortney Hanson,
despite being under the weather, held their leading scorer to seven of 25 shooting.
These are great games to build our confidence as our offense works to become
more consistent entering a three game stretch of conference games before Christmas.”
Goshen will return to Mid-Central Conference play Tuesday night, when the team
will travel to Spring Arbor University. Game time is set for 7 p.m. |
  Freshman
Kelsy McKee
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