The shooting woes continued for the Goshen College women’s basketball team as they fell in a low scoring 44-39 affair to Aquinas College Tuesday evening at Gunden Gymnasium.

Neither team was able to find their stride throughout the peculiar offensive-struggle as each team finished the night with an identical amount of field goals made. Goshen (0-2) finished just above the Mendoza line as the Leafs tallied a meager 21.9 percent (14-for-64) clip compared to Aquinas’ (2-0) 25.9 percent (14-for-54) mark. The disparity in the final score came by way of the charity-stripe in favor of the visitors as the Saints converted on 70 percent (14-for-20) of their tries. Goshen was able to keep pace throughout the defensive struggle with six triples compared to two from the Saints.

Goshen jumped out to a quick 5-0 lead to begin the early-week matchup but relinquished that lead through the middle stages of the first quarter and would fail to regain the driver’s seat the remainder of the four-quarter battle. The Leafs scored just nine total points after their five-unanswered spurt in the first half to head into the break trailing 22-14.

Goshen then charged back into the picture by the two-minute mark of the third frame to trim the lead to three and then continued to chip away to bring themselves within one at 35-34 midway through the fourth. GC failed to capitalize on the opportunity as the foul-game ensued in respect for time.

Goshen senior Carley O’Neal lead the charge for the Leafs with a game-high 13 points. Goshen center Keyaira Murff matched Aquinas’ Hannah Brefeld to lead all players with 10 rebounds. Murff’s double-digit carom total was her second in as many tries in her early freshman campaign ranking her no. 3 in the NAIA in rebounds per game with 12.

No Saints scorer reached double-digits on the evening, allowing Bri Spica and Ally Frederickson to pace Aquinas with eight apiece. With the win, the Saints better solidify their spot in the NAIA Division II Coaches Poll for the coming week. 

The Leafs will look to crack the scoring column for the first time this season as they travel to Milwaukee, Wisconsin to play Cardinal Stritch University in the Cardinal Stritch Classic. Tip-off is set for 6:30 p.m.