GOSHEN, Ind. – The Goshen men's basketball team got back in the win column, and did so in impressive style. A game-winning shot in the final seconds by
Michael Johnson put the Leafs ahead of Huntington 63-62 on Tuesday night.
The Maple Leafs trailed for most of the final five minutes and found themselves down by one with 26 seconds to go. Goshen fouled Peyton West, who missed his one-and-one attempt at the line, and Goshen had a chance to take the lead.
Michael Johnson did just that with 6.3 seconds to go, and the Foresters' offensive attempt was after the final horn. GC came out on top, 63-62.
"I'm proud of our guys for executing late in the game," head coach
Jon Tropf shared. "The only way to be better in crunch time scenarios is to be in this position continually, and we did it."
On Saturday, Goshen was in a close game that didn't go their way, as they lost in overtime on the road at Bethel. However, it was a different result tonight and against a solid team. came into the game with a 14-6 record. On Saturday, they beat #9 Grace 88-74. They had also been in many challenging games recently – their last four opponents were all ranked foes (#25 Saint Francis, #22 Marian, #9 Indiana Wesleyan, #9 Grace).
Goshen and Huntington each held a seven-point lead at one point in the first half. Huntington held a narrow 34-33 advantage as they returned to the locker rooms. The teams went back and forth some more, but Goshen had a 56-50 advantage with six minutes and twenty seconds to go. But an 8-0 Foresters run put the visitors in the driver's seat. They led by four with 31 seconds to go after a bucket by Caleb Middlesworth. However,
Ryan Mansbarger knocked down a three just four seconds later to bring the Leafs within one. Then
Michael Johnson put them on top to win it.
Ryan Mansbarger led the purple and white with 17 points from 7-11 shooting.
Clayton MacLagan and
Gabriel McQuay had great performances off the bench. MacLagan had ten points and five rebounds in 16 minutes of playing time. McQuay scored eight points with three assists and two steals.
Elias Ramirez added nine points, and
Michael Johnson finished with eight.
The win ends a five-game losing streak for the Leafs and a seven-game losing streak against Huntington. The Foresters were a top-25 offense, averaging 84 points per game, but left with 62 tonight.
"This is a big win as we head to the second half of the conference season," Tropf mentioned. "Now, we need to continue to build and get better."
Goshen has another chance to prove themselves against a mighty opponent when they go on the road to face #21 Saint Francis (Ind.) on Saturday, January 22
nd. That game will start at 3:00 pm. The next home game for Goshen is Wednesday, January 26, against Taylor at 8:00 pm.
