TOWSON, Md. — Although Goucher never enjoyed a lead the entire game, the first Landmark Conference victory of the season was there for head coach Patrick Daniel's Gophers to grab in the fourth quarter tonight when they gained possession of the ball with :44 showing on the clock, trailing Susquehanna by just a point.
Jaida Scarborough, who had already tallied 13 points, drove down the lane with 33 seconds remaining and got a look at the basket, but missed a shot that would have put the home team ahead for the first time. The Crusaders came up with the rebound and were able to run out the clock, preserving their 57-56 triumph.
Over the final seven minutes of the contest, the two teams were never separated by more than four points. Goucher closed to within 50-49 on a made free throw by India Perkins with 3:52 left to play, but Susquehanna's subsequent possession ended with Sofie Schedler nailing a 3-point attempt.
A free throw by Briana Bull reduced the Gophers' deficit to 57-54 with 1:17 remaining. Just 28 seconds later, Bull was back at the foul line and this time she converted a pair, further lowering the Crusaders' advantage to a single point at 57-56.
Goucher then got a key defensive stop, gaining possession of the ball when Hannah Kuehl rebounded a missed Susquehanna layup.
"We played with heart and effort, but it still comes down to the little details in order for us to pull out close games like this," Daniel said. "As a coach, I really feel for the players, but we will continue to work hard to get better and be ready for our next game."
Susquehanna led 20-9 at the end of the first quarter and 31-23 at halftime. The Crusaders (11-5, 4-4 Landmark) were 14-for-30 from the field (.467) in the opening 20 minutes, but they also committed 12 turnovers.
Scarborough scored eight of the 14 points the Gophers (5-12, 0-8 Landmark) produced in the third qurter. She sank two free throws with 53 seconds remaining to make it a 42-37 game through three periods.
Scarborough wound up playing all 40 minutes. In addition to her team-high total of 13 points, she finished with five rebounds, five assists and a pair of steals.
Goucher had a second double-figure scorer in Kristi Kozlowski, who complemented her 10-point effort with five rebounds and a blocked shot.
Angie Schedler contributed 15 points to the win. Courtney Adams was the second-leading scorer for Susquehanna as she finished with a double-double of 10 points and 13 rebounds.