ELIZABETHTOWN, Pa. — A slow start was worst-case scenario for Patrick Daniel's squad tonight as it faced an Elizabethtown team who was riding a four-game home win streak. Goucher shot 4-of-26 from the field in the first half, which eventually led to a 66-44 Landmark Conference defeat.
Mistakes added up quickly in the opening 10 minutes as the Gophers (5-11, 0-7 Landmark) committed seven turnovers, missed 12 shots and were staring at an 18-4 deficit heading into the second quarter. Monique Welch hit two free throws with 7:55 on the clock while India Perkins made a layup midway through the first for Goucher's only points.
Perkins knocked down a jumper with 9:55 on the clock to open up the Gophers' first possession of the second but the erraticism of the Blue and Gold's play hurt the visiting team for the remaining portion of the quarter. Aside from Perkins' jumper, Goucher only added six more points while Elizabethtown tallied 14 points and held a 32-12 lead at the half.
A steal by Jaida Scarborough resulting in a layup by Briana Bull in the opening 30 seconds of the third quarter was a jolt the Gophers needed. Amaka Ezeani — who finished with eight points — tallied six of the team's 20 points in the third while Hannah Kuehl, Scarborough and Bull added four each. Though, the Blue Jays (9-5, 5-3 Landmark) held a 23-point lead heading into the final quarter of play.
Bull's layup with 9:30 left on the clock in the third was her first field goal of the contest. She finished with five points which was only the second time all season scoring less than 10 points.
In the fourth, Perkins and Welch scored nine of the Gophers' 12 points. By doing this, Perkins led Goucher scoring with 11 while Welch and Scarborough contributed seven apiece.
Rachel Forjan was lights out for Elizabethtown as she dropped 29 points. Forjan tallied six of her team's seven 3-point shots and was 10-of-24 overall from the field. Emily Martin added 17 points in the win.
Goucher welcomes Susquehanna to the Decker Sports & Recreation Center on Wednesday for a 7 p.m. Landmark Conference tip-off.