LIMA, Ohio – Although nearly winning the rebounding category by a 2:1 margin, the Goshen women's basketball team had too many turnovers and offensive charges in a narrow 64-63 loss to the University of Northwestern Ohio on Wednesday night. Sophia Eli led the Leafs with 15 points – ten coming in the second quarter.
 
The Racers had a 14-11 edge after a first quarter where both teams had offensive challenges. Eli scored Goshen's first eight points of the second quarter and was 4-6 from the field and 2-2 from three in the first half. UNOH still kept the lead, and it was at five points at the half – tied for the game's largest margin. Syanne Mohamed had eight first-half rebounds.
 
After a quick Goshen turnover and a score on the other end to start the third quarter, the Maple Leafs recovered nicely and went on a 12-2 run to go up 37-34. Goshen had 24 third-quarter points – just a point shy of their point total from the first two quarters. GC had 16 points in the first 4:02 of the third quarter.
 
Zion Neat hit a three-pointer with 2:57 to go in the game to take the Goshen lead to six, but the momentum shifted back in the direction of the Racers. They went on a 9-0 run that started with a three from Trinity Black Raines. Jaida Haines hit four free throws, and Mar Marata Crespo made a layup to go up three. The Maple Leafs had an offensive charge with 37.5 seconds to go, and UNOH could take time off the clock with their next possession. With the time running down, the Leafs forced a difficult shot, and Kyla Foster grabbed the rebound. They quickly moved the ball across the court, as Eli found Zoe Zellers for a layup with 2.1 seconds left to go down one.
 
On the ensuing inbound, Goshen fouled with 1.2 seconds left to send Alysia Lawson to the line. She missed both free throws, and GC called a timeout with 0.8 seconds left after Zellers grabbed the rebound. This moved the ball to the other side of the court and gave the Maple Leafs a more accessible look at the basket. Foster found Sa'drea Rougeau on the inbound pass, but her contested three-point attempt hit the back of the iron as the buzzer sounded. UNOH won 64-63.
 
Eli finished with 15 points and six rebounds. She hit her first three three-pointers and finished 3-4. Neat had 11 points and five rebounds. Mohamed had six points and nine rebounds, and Foster scored six points with six assists and no turnovers. Rougeau totaled nine points, and Zellers had eight points and seven rebounds. Montasia McAllister contributed four assists.
 
Despite a 40-21 rebound advantage, Goshen committed 19 turnovers while UNOH had just six. Many resulted from offensive fouls – Goshen had 21 personal fouls and the Racers had 11. GC has lost their last three matches to Northwestern Ohio by a combined nine points.
 
The Maple Leafs are in New Albany, Indiana, to face IU-Southeast in their next match. They take on the Grenadiers on Friday, December 16, at 6:00 pm.