Feb. 8, 2003

Box Score

BALTIMORE, MD - Johns Hopkins held Muhlenberg scoreless for the first 8:44 of the game and overcame its own shooting woes in the opening minutes to take a 61-42 decision in a battle between Centennial Conference division leaders this afternoon in Goldfarb Gymnasium.

The Blue Jays improved to 15-5 overall with their fourth straight win and lead the West Division of the conference with a 9-1 mark. The Mules, who were held to a season-low 42 points, fell to 13-7 overall, but remain in first place in the Centennial's East Division with a 9-1 record.

Despite holding Muhlenberg without a point for the first 8:44, Hopkins led just 6-5 at the 10:01 mark as neither team could get in a rhythm early. The Blue Jays picked up the pace and led 20-8 with 6:04 remaining as senior Ashley Shepler (Tornado, WV/Charleston Catholic) capped a 14-3 run with a three pointer. The Mules answered with a 10-4 run to cut the margin to six before Hopkins took a 30-21 lead into halftime.

Muhlenberg pulled within seven at 42-35 at the 10:21 mark following a three pointer from Gwen Doyle, but the Blue Jays answered with a 9-0 run to increase the margin to 51-35 with 5:54 to play. The Mules would not get closer than 13 points the rest of the contest.

Sophomore forward Ashanna Randall (Media, PA/Penncrest) led Hopkins with 15 points and 10 rebounds for her fourth double-double of the season. Randall also registered a career-high four blocks. Junior guard Trista Snyder (West Chester, PA/Unionville) scored a season-high 13 points and grabbed eight rebounds, while senior center Kathy Darling (Milford, DE/Milford) recorded 12 points and eight rebounds.

Shepler made several key plays and finished the game with nine points, four rebounds and five steals. The Blue Jays limited Muhlenberg to 24 percent (15-of-61) shooting from the field for the game and allowed less than 60 points for the eighth time in 10 Centennial games.

Doyle led the Mules with nine points, while Susan Marchiano collected eight points, five rebounds, and four steals. Becky Richmond chipped in with seven points and five rebounds, and Randi Baran and Jill Friedman finished with eight and seven rebounds, respectively.

The Blue Jays return to action Thursday, February 13 as Hopkins travels to face Swarthmore College for a 7:00 p.m. contest.

Box Score 1 2 -F
Muhlenberg (13-7, 9-1 Centennial) 21 21 -42
Johns Hopkins (15-5, 9-1 Centennial) 30 31 -61