Goshen College

GOSHEN, Ind. - To kick off their season, and their first year with new head coach Jio Fontan, women's basketball hosted the third Ruth Gunden Classic. This year the participating teams were University of Michigan-Dearborn, Defiance College, and Saint Francis, though the Maple Leafs and Cougars are saving their first head to head for later in the season. 

GC's first match up saw their maiden win as a team, and Fontan's first with the Leafs, as they took down Michigan-Dearborn 76-65. That game took a little while to really get started, as the first points were scored by Bree Luna after more than three minutes had passed in the first quarter. 

Things stayed tight early on as UMD answered with a three to take the lead, and remained even until around the 14-point mark, as the Leafs would go on a bit of a run to go into the half leading 42-33. 

The Leafs kept up the pressure in the third as they went on a 12-0 run to go up 57-37, before the Wolverines managed to answer with a few, going into the final quarter 61-44. From there, the Leafs maintained their lead, though the Wolverines did manage to mount a bit of comeback to pull the scoreline back closer to the 10-point range. 

Zy'Ann Phinezy tied her career high with six boards, Paulecia Isom earned a career high with four assists, and Lucia Luque Morales earned a career high eight points in the matchup. 

The leading scorer for the team, however, was Ruby Murrell with 15, making her the first freshman to lead the team in the season opener since 2021. She also grabbed six boards, which tied for most on the team; five steals, which led the team as well; and four threes, also a clear team lead. 

In their second matchup for the weekend, the Leafs faced Defiance in their first meeting since 2003, falling 62-52 to the Yellowjackets. 

Both teams struggled to score, shooting less than 35% percent from the field on both sides, and less than 25% on threes. Defiance and GC were also both only hovering a hair over 50% at the free throw line. 

Luque Morales earned eight rebounds in the match, which ties the second highest of her career, Luna earned her second straight game with six rebounds, and Sarah Elfrey found the fifth game of her career with five points and five boards. 

The Maple Leafs are back in action on Thursday, Nov. 5 as they take on the Saints of Holy Cross right back in the Ruth Gunden with tip off scheduled for 6:30 p.m.