Box Score Dec. 6, 2006
Box Score
WESTMINSTER, MD - In a showdown between the only two undefeated teams in the Centennial Conference, the #18 Johns Hopkins men's basketball team came out on top 91-66 over McDaniel Wednesday night. The Blue Jays move to 8-0 on the season and at 3-0 are atop the conference standings. The Green Terror fall to 5-3 overall and 2-1 in the conference. Five Hopkins players scored in double figures, led by sophomore Phil Beggans (Ocean, NJ/Ocean Township) and senior Danny Nawrocki (Syosset, NY/Chaminade) with 19 each.
The first half was back-and-forth for the first 11 minutes, with the teams trading leads. Hopkins took the lead for good at the 8:21 mark on a three-pointer by junior Doug Polster (Bernardsville, NJ/Bernards). The Blue Jays pushed their lead to as much as seven with 3:08 to play in the half. McDaniel cut it to a four-point game on a free throw by Jemar Daniel and a Josh McKay layup. Free throws by Nawrocki and Valerio, sandwiched around a three-pointer by McKay, made it a 37-32 game heading into the locker room.
For just the second time this season, the Blue Jays were leading coming into the second half. That did not stop the Blue Jays from making one of their second half runs to take control of the game. After trading baskets to open the half, Hopkins went on a 20-2 run to break open the game at 60-36 with 11:36 to play in the game. Nawrocki and Beggans combined for 17 of Hopkins' points during the run.
The Green Terror attempted to chip into the deficit, but fouls kept sending the Blue Jays to the line. From 9:23 to 7:33, the Blue Jays converted 11 of 13 free throw attempts without attempting a field goal. The hot free throw shooting, led by Polster's nine-of-nine effort, pushed Hopkins' lead out to 76-47. McDaniel again sent Hopkins to the line in the final four minutes of the game. The Blue Jays went 10-of-12 from the line to end the game while attempting just three field goals.
Nawrocki posted his fifth double-double of the season, adding a game-high 14 rebounds to his 19 points. Beggans' 19 points was a career-high, as he went 7-of-9 from the floor, including 4-of-5 from three point range. Polster also had a career high, punching up 17 points on 11-of-11 shooting from the free throw line and 2-of-4 from behind the arc. Polster connected on five consecutive free throws after being fouled on a three-point attempt and then shooting two for a technical. Seniors Matt Griffin (Glen Mills, PA/Penncrest) and T.J. Valerio (Blue Bell, PA/St. Joseph's Prep) added 11 points each.
Miguel Jones (14), McKay (12) and Joseph Hunter (11) all finished in double-figures for the Green Terror. Hopkins shot 49.0 percent from the floor, while holding McDaniel to 38.5 percent, including 36.1 percent in the second half. The Green Terror went to the line 30 times, converting just eight attempts.
Hopkins returns to action on Saturday, December 9 as Dickinson visits Goldfarb Gym. Tip-off for the Centennial Conference game is set for 2:00 p.m. Fans can follow all the action via live stats on HopkinsSports.com.
