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NOV.
30 — Squad Hangs On At Spring Arbor, 60-57
Leafs
use strong second half to overcome turnovers, injury in league
win |
Spring Arbor, MI — A strong second
half gave the Goshen College women’s basketball team its
first Mid-Central Conference win of the season at Spring Arbor
University Tuesday night, as the Leafs defeated the first-year
conference team by a 60-57 score.
Goshen (6-4, 1-1) was able to grab its second consecutive win thanks
largely to steady play from its senior leaders, as Erin McDugle,
Candice Williams and Kortney Hanson all came up with big play down
the stretch to secure the win. After trailing by a 33-29 deficit
at halftime, the Leafs relied on its defense — Goshen held
the Cougars to just a 23 for 68 effort from the floor for the night
(33.8 percent) — and the foul line to outwork Spring Arbor.
After knocking in just five of nine free throws in the first half,
the Leafs were able to connect on 13 of 16 second-half charity
tosses, helping to overcome 27 turnovers on the evening.
“We struggled a little in the first half but were able to
hang close,” said
Steve Wiktorowski, Goshen head coach. “We controlled most
of the second half, and at times played our best basketball of
the year. And though we lost a lead late in the game, we were able
to make enough stops and hit key free throws down the stretch to
hang on for the win.”
Goshen was in control of the game with about five minutes to play
when Hanson was inadvertently hit in the face, and had to be taken
out of the game due to a bleeding nose. Spring Arbor jumped on
the Leafs’ floor leader absence, tying the game after trailing
by 10 points. Hanson was able to return to the line up, late, however,
and order was restored. Goshen calmly sank free throws and held
Spring Arbor to just nine field goals in the second half to get
out of town with the win.
“When Kortney got hurt at about the five minute mark, they
hit a couple of threes and we had several turnovers,” Wiktorowski
said. “Fortunately we had some people step up in a critical
situation for us to hold on.”
McDugle led all scorers with 18 points on six of 11 shooting from
the field, while Williams charted 10 points. Freshman Kelsy McKee
scored 12 points, while Hanson scored four points on two of three
shooting to go with six rebounds and four assists. Sophomore Danielle
Haney turned in a solid performance coming off the bench, scoring
seven points and grabbing six rebounds in just under 20 minutes
of work.
“I thought we did a very good job of controlling the lane
by making it difficult for them to score inside, we rebounded much
better
than last game (a 39 to 35 Goshen advantage), and we took it at
their post players and shot 25 free throws to their 12,” Wiktorowski
said. “We also had some great play off the bench in the second
half. Sophomore Danielle Haney had one of her best games of the
year, and freshman Carly Feldman played some strong critical minutes.
Freshman Sarah Arnold filled in very well when Hanson got hurt
late, and had a big steal and layup when we really needed to stop
their momentum. The offense showed some signs of growth and hopefully
that will continue and be more consistent.”
Goshen will make the long trip to Indianapolis on Saturday, when
the team will face off against MCC foe Marian College. Hanson is
expected to play in the contest. Game time is set for 1 p.m.
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  Senior
Erin McDugle
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