GOSHEN, Ind. - It came down to two final shot attempts in the final seconds, but the Maple Leafs lost a nail-biter to Aquinas on Friday evening 72-70.
Syanne Mohamed had a career-high 19 rebounds.
Goshen put up 24 points in the first quarter with eight each from Mohamed and
Zion Neat. The Maple Leafs built up an eight-point lead at 34-26 but Aquinas led 42-40 at the half.
Mohamed continued to shine throughout the game, and already had a double-double with nearly seven minutes still remaining in the third quarter - her eighth double-double this season.
Montasia McAllister hit a three at the buzzer to end the third quarter and give GC a 55-52 edge.
The Leafs were up 66-62 late in the game when the Saints went on a 7-0 run to go up 69-66. Goshen had answers from
Zoe Zellers and McAllister to retake the lead at 70-69. Aquinas scored to go up one and the Maple Leafs had a turnover back on offense. At the end of the game, Goshen had the ball with under ten seconds and put up a pair of shots, but Neat's three rattled out and McAllister's attempt after an offensive rebound went off the rim.
Mohamed had a career-high 19 rebounds, crushing her previous best of 15 set earlier this year. Her last rebound was in the final second, but the clock sounded before she could put up a shot. She had 23 points, which is three away from her career-high. Mohamed continues to lead the Crossroads League in rebounds per game. Tonight's game moved her average from 10.3 to 11.0 per game. She is tied for 11th in the NAIA in that category. 12 of her rebounds on Friday were at the offensive end and she added three blocks.
Neat finished with 16 points and six rebounds. Zellers had eight off the bench and
Kyla Foster scored eight with five assists. Goshen had the lead for 65% of the game. Free throws were a weak spot - as the Leafs went just 4-14 from the line. The Leafs are 35-70 (50%) from the free-throw line in the month of December after going 116-172 (67%) during the other games.
Goshen heads into the new year with an 8-5 record and 3-0 mark in the Crossroads League. It's just conference games remaining for the Leafs in the regular season. They are at #6 Marian on Wednesday, January 3, at 5:30 pm.
