The Basics
• Score: Johns Hopkins-67, Franklin & Marshall-45
• Records: JHU (16-8, 13-6 Centennial) • F&M (11-12, 9-10 CC)
• Location: Lancaster, PA • Mayser Center
 
How it Happened
It took Johns Hopkins just 44 seconds to take a lead it would not relinquish on Wednesday night, earning a wire-to-wire victory over Franklin & Marshall. The Blue Jays led for 39 minutes and 16 seconds in a crucial Centennial Conference matchup, allowing them to stay a game ahead of Dickinson for third-place in the conference.

Diarra Oden scored six of her game-high 18 points in the first quarter, helping JHU jump out to an early lead. Maggie Wodicka hit two jumpers, a three and a two, followed by another Oden layup, to start the game on an 11-0 run for Hopkins. The Diplomats cut the deficit to 17-9 with less than a minute remaining in the quarter, but Elise Moore knocked down a three at the buzzer to extend the Hopkins lead back to double digits. 

In the second, Nai Bellamy-Greene scored with just over seven to play in the half, cutting the JHU lead to seven. Wodicka found Kristin Ralston down low on the next possession, extending the lead back to nine before an extended drought by both teams. Halie Egan grabbed an offensive board and converted a second chance opportunity, putting Johns Hopkins up 28-17 at the 3:45 mark. F&M once more cut it to seven, but Howie and Wodicka hit back-to-back threes, giving Hopkins a 34-21 halftime lead. 

An 8-2 run over the first four minutes and change of the second half extended the Blue Jay lead to 19 with just over five to play in the quarter. With 2:40 left in the third, Oden knocked down a jumper to give JHU its first 20-plus point lead of the contest. F&M cut it down to 17 once more, but Oden hit a circus shot at the buzzer to send the Blue Jays into the fourth with a 48-29 lead. 

At the 6:38 mark in the fourth, Howie hit her third triple of the game, putting Hopkins up 56-36. Bellamy-Greene scored with 4:20 remaining, cutting the deficit down to 14 for the Diplomats, but Hopkins ended the game on a 9-1 run to pick up their fourth win in-a-row. 

What it Means
• Johns Hopkins maintains a one-game lead over Dickinson heading into the final regular season contest. A win, or a Dickinson loss, on Saturday would clinch the three seed for JHU.
• The Blue Jays have picked up 15 straight wins versus the Diplomats, extending their series lead to 51-30. 
 
Inside the Box Score
•  One game after setting career-highs in points and rebounds, Wodicka set a career-high with five assists.
•  Howie knocked down three triples, leaving her one shy of tying the program record for three-pointers made in a single-season. 
•  13th in the country coming into the night at 51.3 points allowed per games, the Blue Jays held the opposition to 50 points or less for the 12th time this season.
•  Freshman forward Ralston set new career-highs with six points and five rebounds in just 14 minutes.
 
Up Next
• SENIOR DAY! The Blue Jays host Haverford on Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. to close out the regular season. Seniors Jess Sweeney, Maggie Wodicka and Kenz Wilkinson will be honored before the game.