FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Elias Ramirez scored 21 points and made five three-pointers, but the Maple Leafs men's basketball team fell to the #21 Saint Francis Cougars on Saturday, 76-64.
 
The teams went back and forth in the first half until Saint Francis closed it out with an 8-0 run in the final two minutes and thirteen seconds. It had been tied at 29, but this gave them a 37-29 advantage at the break.
 
Goshen went on a 9-1 run near the beginning of the second half that began with an Elias Ramirez three-pointer. This brought Goshen to within one point, but they wouldn't take the lead in the half. The Cougars had a 15-2 run of their own that bumped their lead to 14. GC cut it back down to nine at one point, but USF went on to win by 12, 76-64.
 
"We did some great things defensively against a really good team," said head coach Jon Tropf. "We just have to be better at not having bad turnovers in critical moments and keeping our body language positive throughout the game."
 
Along with his five three-pointers and 21 points, Elias Ramirez added five rebounds and two assists. Michael Johnson was one rebound shy of a double-double – he had 11 points and nine rebounds. Ryan Mansbarger had nine points and five rebounds.
 
Antwaan Cushingberry scored 26 points for Saint Francis. The Cougars have now won eight straight games and move to 9-1 at home. During this win streak, the Cougars have beat their opponents by an average of 15.9 points per game. Their last loss was on December 11 at (RV) Southeastern, 74-72.
 
Goshen will next be in action on Wednesday, January 26 in Goshen. They will take on Taylor at 8:00 pm in Gunden Gymnasium. It is the second part of a doubleheader with the women's team – who will play at 6:00 pm.