| Goshen, Ind. –The Goshen College women's basketball team lost to defending NAIA national champion Indiana Wesleyan 67-38 Saturday in Goshen.
Goshen took its only lead of the game when it scored on the opening possession, but poor shooting and delinquent rebounding undermined the Leafs’ cause the rest of the way.
"We did a pretty good job defensively and neither team's half court offense looked all that impressive today,” said head coach Steve Wiktorowski. “We took away most of their basket cuts and forced them into some turnovers, or at least shortened the shot clock, especially in the first half.”
“Our biggest struggle today was our offense and rebounding."
The Wildcats held a 36-21 edge in rebounding on the night. The Leafs shot 34.1 percent from the floor, including 14.3 percent from three-point land. Indiana Wesleyan shot 49 percent and 35.7 percent in the same categories.
With Goshen's outside shot off the mark, Indiana Wesleyan crowded the lane, forcing the Leafs to rush their inside shots. And while Goshen's guards defended well against their counterparts, they lost track of Andrea Fichter when they helped inside.
"Fichter was the real difference between the two teams with her threes," said Wiktrowoski.
Andrea Fichter, a junior guard for Indiana Wesleyan, had 19 points, including five three-pointers in six attempts.
"We battled hard today even though we were frustrated offensively,” said Wiktorowski. “I was especially happy with the emotional lifts that we got from Lindsay Gangloff and Leah Lehman's play off the bench.”
Statistically, the Leafs were led by first-year Cassie Greives with nine points and sophomore Lindsay Gangloff with eight.
“The girls know we have been improving and have been much more competitive lately. This won't be a setback."
With the loss, the Leafs move to 8-14, 2-7.
Goshen enjoys a bye in conference play this week, which will give it some time to rejuvenate before hosting Spring Arbor Saturday at 1:00.
| 
Sophomore Kimmie Hummer