In a Landmark Conference showdown that blended historical dominance with a high-stakes look into the future, the Drew University Rangers hosted the Goucher College Gophers on January 7, 2026. The atmosphere at Baldwin Gymnasium was electric, as the Rangers sought to maintain their upper echelon standing while Goucher fought to change a narrative nearly a decade in the making.
The Rangers successfully defended their home court, coming out on top against the Gophers with a final score of 84-71. But, in high contrast to years passed, the Gophers didn’t go down without a tough fight.
Entering tonight’s contest, the Rangers carried an imposing 18-game winning streak against the Gophers, a run stretching all the way back to early 2017. Historically, Drew has treated this matchup as a showcase for their transition speed and depth, often overwhelming Goucher in the first half to coast themselves to victory. However, the 2025–2026 Gophers have proven to be a different breed. Under the guidance of Head Coach Justin Klingman, Goucher arrived in Madison with a newfound defensive grit and the momentum of a 103-point offensive outburst against Notre Dame (Maryland) earlier this winter.
The game featured some of the most consistent performers in the Landmark Conference. For Drew, the backcourt duo of Eli Yusavage and Andre De Los Reyes set the tone early. Yusavage, currently averaging 17.0 points per game, demonstrated his elite shooting range, forcing the Goucher defense to stretch thin. De Los Reyes provided the “X-factor” with his slashing ability, consistently finding lanes to the basket during critical momentum swings.
Goucher’s resistance was anchored by their interior presence. The Gophers focused heavily on neutralizing Drew’s David Musial, who has been a force on the boards this season with 8.5 rebounds per game. By challenging shots at the rim and limiting the Rangers’ second-chance opportunities, Goucher managed to keep the score within striking distance for much of the first half, a stark contrast to the blowout losses of years past.
The stakes for tonight’s game extended beyond the win-loss column. With the Landmark Conference standings increasingly crowded, Drew (9–2, 3–1) needed this victory to remain in a dead heat with conference heavyweights like Scranton and Catholic University. A slip-up against a “trap team” like Goucher could have disastrous implications for tournament seeding later on this February.
For both squads, tonight was also a final tune-up for one of the most anticipated events in Division III basketball. This coming Sunday, January 11, the Landmark Conference travels to the historic Palestra in Philadelphia. Goucher is set to face Juniata on that legendary floor, while Drew will take on the Catholic University Cardinals in a primetime clash that many expect to be a preview of the conference finals.
As the final buzzer echoed through Baldwin Gym, the 84-71 victory stood as a testament to the growth of Landmark basketball and the depth of the Rangers. Whether through the surgical execution of Drew or the resilient “never-say-die” attitude of the Gophers, the game proved that in conference play, no record—no matter how long the winning streak—guarantees an easy night.
