By Andrew Snyder 
Sports Information Intern

SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – Lynnia Noel tallied her first career double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds as the Goshen College women's basketball team defeated Spring Arbor University 62-51 to open the 2017 portion of its season on Wednesday night in Dunckel Gymnasium.

​Noel started the game's scoring with a pair of free throws early on and had five points through the first 10 minutes of action to lead the Maple Leafs (9-8, 3-2) to an 18-15 advantage. Rachel Nelson paced the Cougars (9-8, 0-5) with six points off of a pair of converted old-fashioned 3-point plays.

​Goshen's defense kicked in throughout the second quarter, allowing just seven Cougar points, six of which came from Aimee Konkel on a bucket and four free throws. Sophia Sears found success for the Maple Leafs, scoring the first four and last two points of the stanza to bookend a 12-point quarter and give Goshen the 30-22 lead into the halftime break.

​The Maple Leafs shot 11-of-33 (33 percent) from the floor in the half, knocking down just one 3-pointer in 12 attempts and 7-of-10 free throws. Spring Arbor was 7-of-24 (29 percent) shooting, including a perfect 7-of-7 from the foul line.

​The third quarter entailed a quicker tempo of play as both teams looked to get out in transition. In the end it was the Cougars benefiting from the increase, winning the stanza 18-13 to slice their deficit by more than half. SAU trailed 43-40 with 10 minutes left in regulation. ​Noel had six points to lead Goshen while Kylie Townsley had five for Spring Arbor.

​While the game remained within five points early on in the fourth, down the stretch the Maple Leafs saw the senior guard combo of Sears and Noel alongside sophomore Sydney Stein take control from the free throw line. The trio combined to go 12-of-15 as Goshen closed out the 62-51 win.

"This was the best team win of the season for us and I'm proud of the effort and commitment to the defensive end of the floor," said Goshen coach Stephanie Miller. "We had some struggles putting the ball in the hole tonight, but with team defense, you can struggle a bit and still find ways to win."

​Goshen finished with 19-of-69 (28 percent) shooting while going 23-of-34 (65 percent) from the foul line. The Cougars wrapped up 15-of-56 (27 percent) from the floor, including 19-of-23 (86 percent) on free throws. 

After trailing in the rebound battle 22-19 at halftime, the Maple Leafs hit the glass hard in the second to finish up 51-48.

​With these 18 points, Noel now has 989 points in her GC career, looking to become the 16th player in GC women's basketball history to reach the 1,000-point club. She added 10 rebounds for the third double-double of the season for Goshen; the other two have come from Gabby Williams. Sears finished with 16 points, nine boards and seven steals, while Stein ended with 14 points. 

"Lynnia and Sophia both had strong scoring nights, but it was their rebounding that gave us the opportunity to get this win on the road," Miller said. "Haley (Archibeque), Kelsey (Fraley), and Carley (O'Neal) joined the other veteran guards at limiting their dribble drive and second chance points. Sydney Stein was aggressive in the middle and attacked their paint with purpose, while Angela chipped in with eight big boards and solid post defense tonight."

Autumn Goggin and Nelson both had 13 points and Rachel Driesenga had 14 rebounds to lead Spring Arbor.

"The credit tonight really does go to the entire team," Miller said. "They were focused on their defensive jobs, brought a passion and energy to the floor and found a way to close the fourth quarter after the Cougars stole the lead and put pressure on us late. Spring Arbor really puts pressure on you with their dribble drive, and we played strong help side defense to keep them out of the paint. Winning on the road in Crossroads League play is so difficult, so I'm very happy with this effort and the result."

​The Maple Leafs return to action on Saturday as part of a doubleheader with the men's team at Grace, with the women set to tip off at 1:00 p.m.; pregame coverage begins at 12:45 p.m. on 91.1 The Globe.