Couriers unable to sustain late rally, lose to Cavaliers

John Miller shoots a free throw in the varsity game.
Courier rebounders are Evan Stutzman and Dwylin
Gingerich (back to camera).

Justin Horst (24) prepares to fight for the loose ball.
The JV wrapped up a 13-3 season with a 59-33 loss.
Sophomore post Judson Yoder was ill and missed the game.
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GOSHEN (Fri., Feb. 20, 2009) - A 22-5 rally in the third and fourth quarters fell short as Fort Wayne Canterbury squeaked past the Couriers 64-59 on Senior Night at Clinton Christian.

Except for a 2-2 tie, the Cavaliers led the entire game. They built lead to 15 points (50-35) on Marquel Cooper's field goal with 2:50 left in the third quarter. Then, the Couriers began a furious comeback capped by Dustin Yoder's three-pointer that cut the lead to 57-55 with 1:32 left in the game. The margin was still two when the Cavaliers' Jason Williams traveled with 1:11 remaining, but the Couriers could not take advantage and were forced to foul.

Williams finished with 17 points, Andy Ottenweller 13 and Josiah Gerardot 11 for the Cavaliers (10-8).

Senior Evan Stutzman led the Couriers with 18 points in his final home game. Yoder added 15 and fellow junior John Miller 12.

Other seniors recognized before the game were starting guard Jesse Yoder (finished with 4 points in the game), forward Dwylin Gingerich (2) and guard T.J. Miller (0). All four seniors started the contest.

Next up for the 13-12 Couriers is Trinity (16-8) in the Indiana Christian State Tournament Series (ICSTS) North Regional semifinals.