Jan. 30, 2014

Box Score

BALTIMORE, MD - Senior Katie Lytle and junior Elle Larsen scored 20 points a piece, as Swarthmore defeated Hopkins 75-47 Thursday evening. The Blue Jays suffered from a cold shooting night, hitting only 23.9% of their shots after going 5-36 from the field in the first half. Swarthmore was deadly from beyond the arc, hitting four three pointers in each half and finishing 53.3% from long range in the contest. Hopkins has now dropped three in a row, and fall to 12-6 on the year (10-3 CC). Swarthmore improves to 11-8 and 6-7 in the conference with the victory.

Hopkins was able to match Swarthmore early on in the game, taking the team's first lead after a layup from senior Fatu Conteh made it 6-5 with 16:44 remaining. After trading baskets, the Jays were able to tie the game 9-9 after a free throw from junior Maggie Fruehan, but a three-pointer from Lytle on the other end would give the Garnet a lead they maintained for the rest of the night

Hopkins fought to stay alive in the first half, but a combination of solid shots from Swarthmore and a struggling Blue Jay offense had the hosts down 32-18 at the half. JHU shot only 13.9% from the field in the first; their lowest percentage in a half all season, and dug themselves a deep hole going into the second.

The second half got off to a promising start for Hopkins, as the team hit four of their first five shots in the opening minutes. Swarthmore matched that high percentage shooting with two three pointers, and continued to force Hopkins to take contested shots and difficult angles to the basket. With 15:46 to play, the Garnet went on a demoralizing 8-0 run, until Hopkins finally got a jumper from sophomore Katie Clark to make it 31-53 with 11:38 remaining. Swarthmore continued to slowly build on their lead and control the clock, eventually getting the win and evening the season series between the sides.

Elle Larsen eclipsed the 1000-point mark in her Swarthmore career tonight, after hitting a free throw with 13:58 remaining in the first half. Conteh led the Blue Jays with 13 points.

JHU will be back in action this weekend when the team travels to play Haverford on Saturday, February 1 at 1:00 pm. Hopkins won 65-48 the last time the team's met this season on January 8.

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