GOSHEN, Ind. – On Saturday afternoon, the Goshen men's basketball team reversed their losing streak and picked up their first conference win of the season. The Leafs beat Spring Arbor at home 62-56.
 
"Our guys came out today and really embraced being defensively ready, and it paid off," said head coach Jon Tropf.
 
While Goshen typically held the lead in the first half, it was close throughout. The Maple Leafs led 34-31 at the break but could slightly separate after halftime. A crucial stretch of the game occurred with about eight minutes to go. The score was tied 48-48, and Goshen went on a 9-0 run that took three minutes and 44 seconds. Baskets and free throws by Ryan Mansbarger, Greg Johnson, and Austin Branagan brought GC to a 57-48 lead with over four minutes to go.
 
Despite a Spring Arbor three-pointer to cut the lead to five, the Leafs had enough margin to end the night with their first Crossroads League win this year and a 62-56 win.
 
"I'm really proud of our guys," Tropf shared. "This was a tremendous win, and we got it done on the defensive end." Goshen held the Cougars to shooting .167 from three – which is the best they have done against any opponent this season. Goshen held Spring Arbor to hitting .375 overall, the second-best this year (Roosevelt shot .316).

With just 56 points given up, this game marks the team's best defensive conference game since allowing just 52 points to Huntington during a win on February 6, 2016.
 
Elias Ramirez scored 18 points and scored double figures in nine of his ten games. Michael Johnson scored 12, Greg Johnson had nine, and Mansbarger and Robert Sanders added seven.
 
"Every team goes through peaks and valleys - you often have to reset and refocus. We earned our bricks today," Tropf added, referencing the team's mantra of building the house brick by brick.
 
The Maple Leafs have erased their seven-game losing streak and now have a .500 record at home. Goshen takes a break for final exams but will be back in action next Saturday, December 11, at home. They will face Lincoln Christian University at 2:00 pm in Gunden Gymnasium. The women will play beforehand at noon.