Dec. 29, 2004

Box Score

PASADENA, CA - Zach Wheatley nailed two free throws with 14 seconds remaining to seal a 58-53 victory for the Panthers of Chapman over the Johns Hopkins Blue Jays in the first game of the Cal Tech Holiday Festival in Pasadena, CA.

Trailing 54-51, the Blue Jays brought the ball up the court following a missed free throw by Chapman. Junior Jeff Thompson (Binghamton, NY/Loomis Chaffe) hit a running lay-up with 24 seconds remaining to cut the Panthers' lead to 54-53. After being fouled Chapman converted one of its two free throws and led 55-53. Hopkins brought the ball up the court, called a timeout and inbounded the ball under own basket, but tunred the ball over before they could get a shot off. The Blue Jays then fouled Wheatley, who hit his free throws to secure the win for the Panthers.

The Panthers jumped out to an early 12-4 lead in the first half, but the Jays rallied to take a slim 26-24 advantage at the half.

In the second half, JHU held a small lead for the early part of the half. Chapman battled back, and a Richard Combs jumper with 1:45 remaining put Chapman up for good by a score of 52-51.

Wheatley led Chapman with 15 points and 13 rebounds, while senior Eric Toback (Ellicott City, MD/Mt. Hebron) collected 15 points for the Blue Jays. This is the 14th consecutive game Toback has scored at least 10 points, the second-longest streak in the Centennial Conference. Sophomore Danny Nawrocki (Syosset, NY/Chaminade) added 10 points and six rebounds in the loss.

With the loss, JHU falls to 3-4 on the year. Hopkins will return to action on Friday when they take on Cal Tech at 1 pm in the Cal Tech Holiday Fesitival.

-30-