After a big win against Bendle Jan. 30, the Goodrich basketball team suffered a letdown against Genesee Feb. 3.
The host Martians mounted a comeback in the fourth quarter, but ultimately fell 42-41 to the Wolves, who play in the Genesee Area Conference Blue Division. Goodrich fell to 7-5 overall.
‘To be honest, I’m not sure we came ready to play, not to take anything away from Genesee,? Goodrich coach Gary Barns said. ‘I didn’t think our mental approach was like it should be. Defensively, we allowed too many easy shots. We have to step up defensively.?
The Martians were in command early in the game, taking a 12-6 lead after the first quarter. However, the Wolves came roaring back to take the lead with about 2-1/2 minutes left in the second quarter. Goodrich’s Craig Van Wagoner beat the first-half buzzer to give the Martians a 20-19 halftime lead.
However, Genesee would not go away, and they took a 29-25 lead at the end of the third quarter.
The Martians? Kirk Elsworth scored eight of his team-leading 14 points in the fourth quarter to spark the Goodrich comeback. However, Elsworth fouled out with about two minutes left in the game, taking the wind out of the Martians? sails.
The Martians only made it to the free throw line six times (making three) in the game, compared to Genesee’s 12-of 22 (54.5 percent) clip.
‘Our effort in the fourth quarter was good, but we still need to learn the game of basketball,? Barns said. ‘Those are games, as a coach, we believe we should win. We do things as a team.?
Michael Skinner added nine points and eight rebounds for the Martians, while Kyle Powell scored 18 points and Shane Ritter 11 for the Wolves.
The Martians kept pace in the GAC Red Division on Jan. 30, outlasting the visiting Bendle Tigers 54-51. Goodrich is now 5-2 in the GAC division.
The Martians started out slow, trailing the Tigers 19-9 after the first quarter. However, the Martians fought back to cut the Tigers? halftime lead to 27-21.
Max Bell and Brett Bowers helped the Martians rally to take the lead in the third quarter. Bell scored eight points and drained two 3-point shots, while Bowers added five points as the Martians outscored the Tigers in the third 20-9 to take a 41-36 lead at the end of the period.
Bell led a balanced scoring attack for the Martians with 13 points, while Bowers added 12 and Van Wagoner 10. Elsworth led the Martians in rebounding with 10.
Lance Trout led the Tigers with 19 points, while Josh Griffith added 15.
In a game originally scheduled a day earlier, the visiting Martians defeated the Montrose Rams 77-63.
The Martians were buoyed by their free throw shooting, connecting on 21-of-27 free throws (77.8 percent). Goodrich started out strong, taking a 24-8 lead after the first quarter on their way to the win.
Wayne Coulman led Goodrich with 25 points, while Elsworth added 16 points and eight rebounds and Van Wagoner 15 points. Skinner led the Martians with 11 rebounds.
David Lenear led Montrose with 16 points.
Goodrich faced a tough league foe Feb. 6 when they took on New Lothrop, led by 6?5?, 250-lb. center Gary Evenoehoegh, A.J. Jenrow and Cal Utishan.
‘It will be a dogfight,? Barns said.
The Martians return home Feb. 10 when they take on Bentley.