Feb. 3, 2009

Final Stats

BALTIMORE, MD - Four free throws in the final four seconds solidified a tough game for the Johns Hopkins women's basketball team and avenged a recent defeat over Dickinson, 72-67 in Goldfarb Gymnasium Tuesday evening. The Blue Jays shot 50% from the floor and 86% percent from the free throw line in a game where everything came together to give Hopkins its 7-5 Centennial Conference record and rise to 9-10 overall. The Red Devils forced 23 JHU turnovers, but it wasn't enough as the loss put them at 10-9 on the year and 7-5 in Centennial play.

After two free throws at 1:58 in the first half by senior Kristin Phillips, the Blue Jays led by seven, 33-26. Back-to-back points from the charity stripe by Brooke Muller would cut the lead to five. A heroic jumper by Anastasia Wynn in the paint put Hopkins back up seven with 1:26 to play. Two points from freshman Stephanie Fong widened the gap to nine with less than on minute remaining.

Two more free throws and 3-point by the Red Devils cut the lead to four heading into halftime.

The second half proved to be an all-out battle in true Centennial Conference fashion. Brooke Muller had the first four points of the second half to tie it up. A layup by Lyndsay Burton put the Blue Jays back up by two.

A 7-1 run by the Red Devils, including five points by Laura Lyons allowed Dickinson to take the upper hand with less than 17 minutes remaining.

Two free throws at 13:47 put the Red Devils up, 48-44. Sophomore Siobhan Callanan would score eight of the next 10 JHU points to keep pace with Brooke Muller, who had four points in the run. Each of Callanan's 10 points came within five minutes and tied the score at 54 with 9:44 to play.

Dickinson's Carole Dempsey buried a jumper but Burton would answer, tying the score, again, at 56. Muller hit a 3-pointer to regain the lead for the Red Devils 10 seconds later.

With 5:38 to play, Muller took over, scoring six points in nearly a minute to give Dickinson a five-point advantage heading into the home stretch.

Burton fought back, scoring the next three buckets for the Blue Jays and taking a one-point lead with 1:45 to go. Left with no choice but to commit a foul, the Red Devils sent Kristin Phillips to the line. The senior pulled through, sinking both free throw to make it a three-point game.

A technical foul would be called on the visitor bench as Dickinson attempted to call a seventh timeout.

Head coach Nancy Funk put her faith in senior Caitlin Sloane, who calmly stepped to the foul line and hit both of her free throws to clinch the 72-67 win.

The Blue Jay bench contributed 23 point in the victory, putting Hopkins in an ironic tie with Dickinson for fifth place in the Centennial Conference standings.

Burton tallied 12 second-half points to finish with 22 for the game. She also record three assists, three steals and 10 rebounds to register a double-double. Junior Anastasia Wynn (12) and sophomore Siobhan Callanan (10) also scored in double-figures for Hopkins. Senior Kristin Phillips notched eight points and nine rebounds in the victory as well.

The Red Devils landed three in double-digits as Brooke Muller led the way with a career-high 28 points. Dempsey and Lyons also finished with 16 and 15 respectively.

The Blue Jays hit the road for a rematch with Franklin & Marshall, traveling to Lancaster, Pa. on Thursday. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.