Men's Basketball Falls Short in Comeback Attempt Vs. Goshen

Men's Basketball Falls Short in Comeback Attempt Vs. Goshen
November 16, 2024

(Lansing, MI)-- The Cleary Cougar men's basketball team struggled offensively early, mounted a comeback attempt, but came up short, as they fell to the visiting Goshen College Maple Leafs 69-59 Saturday afternoon in Lansing.

Goshen scored the first points of the game, and then AJ Hess gave Cleary the lead with a made three pointer.  Hess would convert 1/2 free throws on the next possession, and Cleary held an early 4-2 lead.  The two team's defenses would both rise to the challenge, as the game would be tied 6-6 with 13 minutes to play in the first half.  Goshen would take an 11-8 lead, and then Levi McKenzie scored on a fast break layup after an AJ Hess steal, to make it 11-10.  Goshen would go on a run that started with a 17-16 Maple Leaf lead, and ended at halftime, with the Maple Leafs leading 40-20.

Cleary would cut the deficit to twelve points with 13 minutes to play in the second half, after a pair of layups from Chris Williams and Tyree Jones.  Goshen would get the lead to nineteen points just two minutes later, and Cleary's comeback would have to start again.  Goshen would expand their lead to as many as 22 points, but Cleary would fight back when Chris Williams hit a pair of free throws, followed by an Amare Slaughter free throw, and a Nick Moore layup.  Tim Kewley would score back to back baskets, but the clock would expire, and Goshe would hold on for the victory.

Chris Williams led CU with 14 points and 6 rebounds.  Tyree Jones would add 8 points and 5 rebounds, while Jaylen Cole-Williams also had 8 points.

Cleary is now 1-4 on the season, and will return to action next Saturday, November 23, when they open WHAC play against the Indiana Tech Warriors at Gannon Gymnasium.  The game is set to begin at 3:00 PM.