Jan. 22, 2005

Box Score

CARLISLE, PA - Johns Hopkins sophomore guard T.J. Valerio hit a three-pointer with eight seconds remaining and Dickinson's Matt Keys misfired from three-point range at the buzzer as the Blue Jays picked up their seventh win in the last eight games with a 58-57 victory over the host Red Devils Saturday afternoon. Hopkins improves to 10-5 overall and 7-2 in the Centennial Conference, while the Devils slip to 8-8. 5-4. With several games postponed due to the weather Saturday, the Blue Jays now sit in sole possession of first place in the Centennial.

Dickinson built a slim, 29-27 halftime lead to 44-35 early in the second half as back-to-back three-pointers by Keys and Jimmy Martelli fueled a 15-8 run by the Devils to open the half. The Blue Jays responded with an 8-0 run that was jump-started by back-to-back baskets by sophomore Matt Griffin to pull within 44-43 with just over nine minutes remaining.

Dickinson maintained the lead for most of the next nine minutes with the Blue Jays leading just briefly, 49-48, after another Griffin layup. The Blue Jays stayed within striking distance and tied the game at 55-55 on a pair of free throws by senior Eric Toback with 48 seconds remaining, but Brad Litchfield nailed a pair from the line with 20 seconds left to give the Devils a 57-55 lead. After a quick timeout, the Blue Jays worked the ball to Valerio, who wasted little time launching what proved to be the game-winning three-pointer. Dickinson used a timeout to set up one final play, but Keys was off the mark and the Blue Jays picked up their third straight win in Carlisle.

Dickinson jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the first three minutes of the game as back-to-back baskets by Litchfield and a three-pointer by Keys fueled the game-opening run, but Griffin scored four points in a 10-0 run that got the Blue Jays going and it was close for the rest of the half. The Devils did lead 25-19, but the Blue Jays pulled even at 27-27 on a layup by Valerio with 37 seconds remaining before Litchfield hit a late jumper to give the Devils the 29-27 halftime lead.

Griffin, playing in place of injured starter Danny Nawrocki, scored a career-high 22 points in just 23 minutes to lead the way for the Blue Jays, who count three one-point wins in their last four games. Toback added 13 points and six rebounds, while Valerio added 11 points off the bench.

Litchfield had game-highs of 16 points and eight rebounds, while Keys added 12 points and Jon Skvarka chipped in 10 to help lead the way. Without Nawrocki's presence inside, Dickinson held a 33-30 rebounding advantage.

- 30 -