GOSHEN, Ind. – After a four-game losing streak, the Maple Leafs women's basketball team looks to be back in business. After beating Spring Arbor over the weekend, they built off it with a 65-51 win over #11 Indiana Wesleyan.
The win snaps a 14-game losing streak for the Maple Leafs against the Wildcats, as they had last beat them on January 6, 2016. Goshen controlled the entire game – the only lead for IWU was when it was 2-1. Goshen led 14-8 after the first quarter, which gave them enough cushion going into the half. They outscored Indiana Wesleyan by eight in the third quarter alone and had enough of a lead that they were able to make some late substitutions and get some new players in. Goshen had as much as a 19-point lead before winning by 14 at the end.
"I was so impressed with the energy and passion that the girls played with tonight," head coach Stephanie Miller remarked. "They just fought for everything they got and were relentless in their pursuit out there." Miller specifically credited the team in three areas. First was the attention to detail on the switching defenses they were calling, causing IWU to be uncomfortable. Next was the team's ownership and pride in their rebounding effort. Lastly, she was genuinely impressed with the big Goshen baskets that prevented the Wildcats from stringing a run together.
No player for the Wildcats scored in double figures, whereas Goshen had three. Taniece Chapman scored 20 points, shooting 8-10 from the field and 4-5 at the line. She added nine rebounds, two assists, a block, and a steal. Syanne Mohamed scored 13 on 83% shooting with seven rebounds to her name. Graysen Cockerham also had 13 points, with three three-pointers made. Kyla Foster had just two points but brought down eight rebounds. Janara Flowers recorded eight points with six rebounds. Their efforts helped the Maple Leafs to outrebound the Wildcats 44-22.
Chapman surpassed Jo'Mani Thomas to become the fifth all-time leading scorer for the Maple Leafs, and Cockerham moved ahead of Tyra Carver and Liz Tecca to become the sixth leading scorer all-time. The duo also set the school record for career points by a pair of classmates. Chapman and Cockerham have combined for 2,698 points, beating out class of 2016 teammates Jo'Mani Thomas and Liz Tecca, who compiled 2,678. Chapman now has the most points scored for a GC player under head coach Stephanie Miller.
Miller cited the previous games this season that has prepared the Leafs for tough opponents. Losses to Rio Grande, Bryan, and Southeastern prepared, tested, and ultimately made Goshen a stronger team. "No doubt this should really allow us to believe in what we can do down the stretch," she said. "A truly tough, poised, and determined effort. They deserve this win."
The Wildcats came into the game with a 20-3 record overall and 9-2 in the Crossroads League. The 51 points they scored was their fewest since a 44-62 loss at #10 Marian on November 20.
Goshen is back in the Ruth Gunden Gymnasium on Saturday, February 5. They will host another top team, #6 Marian, at 1:00 pm. The men's portion of the doubleheader will follow at 3:00 pm.
