PHOENIX, Ariz. – In Goshen's first game of two in Arizona, the men's basketball team couldn't quite pull together a win, falling to Park University Gilbert 78-67. Michael Johnson finished with a double-double, but the Leafs had over twice as many turnovers as the Buccaneers.
 
Park Gilbert got off to a hot start early on, scoring 17 of the game's first 20 points. With four minutes to go in the first half, they still held a 30-22 lead. Goshen took over after that, ending the half with a 13-4 run and maintaining a narrow one-point lead. The first lead for the Maple Leafs came with 35 seconds remaining in the first half, thanks to the second of four three-pointers by Elias Ramirez.
 
GC continued that late dominance at the start of the second half, going on a 23-8 run, which spanned both halves. The Leafs led 45-38 with 16 minutes to go – a far cry from their early 14-point deficit. The home team answered, though, and tied the game 48-48 and then 52-52. From that point on, the Buccaneers took the lead and ran with it to win 78-67. With under a minute to go, Goshen was within five points, but Park Gilbert knocked down all eight of their free-throw attempts with under 40 seconds to go.
 
Michael Johnson had a double-double for the Leafs with 12 points and 13 rebounds. The 13 rebounds are a season-high for him, crushing his previous mark of seven. Ramirez scored 15 points, including his four baskets from behind the arc.
 
The critical difference in the game was turnovers. Park Gilbert had eight turnovers – including just one in the first half. Goshen had 17, and the Buccaneers were able to capitalize from them. They had 24 points off of turnovers, and the Leafs had five. "Winning on the road is challenging," head coach Jon Tropf said after the game. "You have to be disciplined and tough. Turnovers and giving up offensive rebounds are not recipes for success on the road."
 
With the win, Park Gilbert (4-9) has won two of their last three after starting the season 2-8. They also stay undefeated at home.
 
Goshen (4-10, 1-3 CL) will play their second of two games in Arizona on Monday, December 20, against SAGU American Indian College. Please note that this game was initially scheduled to start at 8:00 pm eastern time, but it got moved up earlier this week to 6:00 pm eastern time. After that game, Goshen will return to Indiana and be done until after the Christmas holiday.