Box Score Feb. 9, 2013
Box Score
COLLEGEVILLE, PA - Freshman Liz Tommasi scored a career-high 24 points and senior Alex Vassila had 21 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Johns Hopkins women's basketball team past Ursinus, 69-65, to clinch a spot in the Centennial Conference playoffs. The Blue Jays improved to 14-9 (12-7 CC), while the Bears fell to 11-12 (8-10 CC).
Trailing by four points, 59-55, Hopkins mounted an 8-0 run to take a commanding 63-59 lead with 1:52 to play. The Bears pulled within one point on a Caroline Shimrock 3-pointer, but the Jays' Stacy Fairey knocked down two free throws to extend Hopkins' lead to 65-62 with 42 seconds remaining.
Hopkins' Fatu Conteh stole the ensuing Ursinus play, and was sent to the line for a one-and-one. Conteh missed the first free throw shot, but Vassila grabbed the offensive board and put home a lay-up. After two missed 3-point attempts by the Bears, Tommasi iced the contest with two free throws to put Hopkins ahead by seven points.
The Blue Jays jumped out to a flying start, feeding Vassila in the post from the outset for two quick buckets. Hopkins led by as many as 12 points, 18-6, just eight minutes into the game.
Ursinus quickly responded, however, and hit a 3-pointer on three consecutive trips down the court to cut the Hopkins lead to three points. The Blue Jays then regained momentum heading into the halftime break with a 3-pointer and a lay-up by Tommasi for a 36-30 advantage.
Vassila had three swats in the contest, becoming the first player in program history to notch 200 career blocks. It was the second 20-point game of the season for both Tommasi and Vassila.
The Bears stayed in the game largely due to their 3-point proficiency, knocking down nine total shots from beyond the arc. Tori Steinberg had three 3-pointers for 12 points, while Devin Butchko led Ursinus with 14 points.
Hopkins closes regular season play Wednesday at Franklin & Marshall, as it determines its seed in the Centennial Conference playoffs. The Blue Jays currently sit in fourth place, but could land anywhere between third and fifth.
-30-
