GOSHEN, Ind. – The Maple Leafs women's basketball team got back to a .500 record in the Crossroads League with an emphatic 70-56 win over the Spring Arbor Cougars at home on Saturday. This season, the win makes Goshen 2-2 in conference and 3-2 at home.
The game was back and forth early on, and the Cougars led 9-6. Goshen responded in the latter half of the first quarter and into the next period with a 19-2 stretch. Goshen led by 14 with a 25-11 score, and they held a 9-point lead at the half, 37-28.
GC outscored Spring Arbor by six in the third, and the Leafs led by as many as 18 with four minutes to go before coming out with a 70-56 Crossroads League victory.
Head coach
Stephanie Miller emphasized the importance of conference wins by comparing them to building blocks. "Each block that we add to the win wall adds confidence four our players and allows us one step closer to our team goals," she mentioned. "I think a team like ours has needed time to learn the blend of old and new on the floor. Day by day, we really see growth in these ladies."
TaNiece Chapman scored 18 points and shot 75% for the day.
Graysen Cockerham and
Sa'drea Rougeau each scored in double digits as well.
Three other players stepped into more prominent roles for the team today.
Kiarah Copeland neared a double-double with nine points and eight boards.
Kiana Oelling had an impressive day. She scored eight points with four rebounds, three assists, and two steals. She was 3-4 from the field and made both of her free throws. Lastly,
Janara Flowers scored eight points and dished out five assists during her 23 minutes on the court. Miller appreciated Copeland's ability to lean into her role, Oelling's all-around play, and Flowers' poise and decision-making. "These three were really impressive in step-up roles today."
After losing the previous seven, Goshen has now won two straight against Spring Arbor. The team will now fully devote themselves to final exams before gearing up for a non-conference match next Saturday, December 11, at home against Blackburn College. That game will take place at noon at home in Gunden Gymnasium. The men will play at home at 2:00 pm that day as well.
