2008 Woodie Awards
Rangers' 4th quarter 'D' pins Gophers
Courtney Muller
Issue date: 2/8/08 Section: Sports
The Drew University men's basketball team's cold streak finally melted away when they defeated the visiting Goucher College Gophers 61-54 Friday night. The Rangers' superior defense secured the win when they let the Gophers gain no more than five points in the last seven minutes of play. Guard Gerard Mullin ('09) led the scorers with 16 points to victory.
"We just need to keep winning as we did last weekend and hopefully we can get into the last spot of the playoffs," Mullin said.
Drew led the game 13-5 just six minutes into the first half. However, the Gophers were able to even the score. Forward David Cramer ('08) quickly retaliated, giving the Rangers a 1-point lead that turned into 7. Forward Mike Mayes ('11) netted two lay-ups, followed by field goals from guard Nelson Albino ('09) and forward David Pepperman ('08) taking the lead to 23-16. Mayes' free throw pushed the score 29-20 with 2:39 left, but the Gophers were able to get within two with the help of their 23 first half rebounds.
With 15 minutes left in the second half the score was tied at 36-36. Cramer's 3-point was followed by Ian Brown's field goal making the score 39-38 at 14:27. The next five minutes didn't go well for either side.
Cameron Brown ('09) of Goucher put life back into the game with a 3 at nine minutes left, and guard Chris Lopez ('08) assisted Cramer and Mullin scored a 3.
The Rangers grew nervous when the Gophers took over the lead 52-46 at 6:30 left, but the Rangers' defense showed why they are nationally ranked and gained back their dominance in the game.
The few more shots gained by the Rangers were all they needed to secure the win because the Gophers could not make another shot the rest of the game.
"We've been playing good for most of the season, but got unlucky in a lot of close games. We finally got some good breaks this weekend, and hopefully it will give us momentum to finish the season positively," guard Joe Horvath ('11) said.
"We just need to keep winning as we did last weekend and hopefully we can get into the last spot of the playoffs," Mullin said.
Drew led the game 13-5 just six minutes into the first half. However, the Gophers were able to even the score. Forward David Cramer ('08) quickly retaliated, giving the Rangers a 1-point lead that turned into 7. Forward Mike Mayes ('11) netted two lay-ups, followed by field goals from guard Nelson Albino ('09) and forward David Pepperman ('08) taking the lead to 23-16. Mayes' free throw pushed the score 29-20 with 2:39 left, but the Gophers were able to get within two with the help of their 23 first half rebounds.
With 15 minutes left in the second half the score was tied at 36-36. Cramer's 3-point was followed by Ian Brown's field goal making the score 39-38 at 14:27. The next five minutes didn't go well for either side.
Cameron Brown ('09) of Goucher put life back into the game with a 3 at nine minutes left, and guard Chris Lopez ('08) assisted Cramer and Mullin scored a 3.
The Rangers grew nervous when the Gophers took over the lead 52-46 at 6:30 left, but the Rangers' defense showed why they are nationally ranked and gained back their dominance in the game.
The few more shots gained by the Rangers were all they needed to secure the win because the Gophers could not make another shot the rest of the game.
"We've been playing good for most of the season, but got unlucky in a lot of close games. We finally got some good breaks this weekend, and hopefully it will give us momentum to finish the season positively," guard Joe Horvath ('11) said.
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