Feb. 7, 2007

Box Score

BALTIMORE, MD - The #17 Johns Hopkins men's basketball team suffered its first loss since January 9, falling 70-68 to McDaniel Wednesday night in Goldfarb Gym. With the loss the Blue Jays fall to 19-3 on the season and 13-2 in Centennial Conference action. The Green Terror improve to 10-11 overall and 7-8 in the conference with the win. Senior Danny Nawrocki (Syosset, NY/Chaminade) tied a career high with 18 rebounds tonight, tying the Centennial Conference career record with 860.

McDaniel took the lead early on a jumper by Ryan Brandenburg with 13:39 to play. That ignited a 10-0 Green Terror run as they pushed out to 19-10 lead. McDaniel extended its lead to as much as 14 points late in the half before Hopkins began chipping away. The Blue Jays used a 10-1 run to close the gap, heading into the locker room trailing 34-29. A lay-up by senior Matt Griffin (Glen Mills, PA/Penncrest) triggered the run and was capped by a trey from senior T.J. Valerio (Blue Bell, PA/St. Joseph's Prep). Though the rebounds were even at 22-22, McDaniel got 13 second-chance points in the first half.

Hopkins battled back to start the second half, taking the lead at 41-40 on two free throws by Valerio. McDaniel responded with an 8-0 run, pushing out to a 48-41 lead on baskets by Ryan Finch and Brandenburg. The Blue Jays continued to battle, tying the game at 52-52 on Nawrocki free throws but once again McDaniel answered. Buckets by Jemar Daniel and Finch pushed the Green Terror's lead out to 61-52. Junior Doug Polster (Bernardsville, NJ/Bernards) drained a three to cut the lead to six but Brandenburg answered with a trey for the visitors.

Lay-ups by Nawrocki and Griffin were sandwiched around two treys by Brandenburg, making it 70-62 with just 4:21 to play. The Hopkins offense combined with the defense to go on a 9-0 run, cutting the deficit to two points with just 44 seconds on the clock. A jumper by freshman Patrick O'Connell (Baltimore, MD/Loyola Blakefield) capped the run. Neither team was able to convert their chances as time ticked down and McDaniel held on for the win.

Griffin and Valerio led the Blue Jays with 17 points apiece. While Nawrocki posted his 11th double-double of the season and the 32nd of his career with 18 rebounds and 13 points. Finch and Brandenburg led McDaniel with 21 points apiece, with Daniel chipping in 10. Hopkins shot 40.7 percent from the floor to McDaniel's 39.7 percent.

Hopkins returns to action on Saturday, February 10 when the Ursinus Bears visit Goldfarb Gym. Tip-off is set for 4:00 pm.