BALTIMORE, MD- The Blue Jays used a strong first quarter performance and a stellar defensive effort to hold off a late push from Muhlenberg and win their first Centennial Conference matchup of the season. The Blue Jays moved to 3-1 on the season and have won both of their games they have played at Goldfarb Gym this season.
 
The game came down to the final minute, with Johns Hopkins holding onto a two-point lead. The Mules drew up a play for Rachel Saxton, who missed a three pointer, but Jenna Stockfeder crashed the boards and was able score the game-tying layup with just six seconds remaining. The Blue Jays inbounded the ball to graduate student Olivia Parisi, who was able to draw a foul and head to the free throw line. Parisi knocked down the first free throw to put Johns Hopkins back on top 54-53. Muhlenberg had a chance to at the end of the game, but Saxton was unable to get a shot off with 1.3 seconds left on the clock and the Blue Jays took home the victory.
 
Parisi came into the contest with 999 points in her collegiate career. The William Smith transfer knocked down a jumper in the paint with 5:43 remaining in the first quarter to eclipse the 1,000-point plateau in her career.
 
Johns Hopkins played their best quarter early in the game to get out to a 17-13 lead that they would not surrender the rest of the way. As a team they shot 58% from the floor going 7-for-12. The Blue Jays went inside early to center Jadyn Murray who scored the team's first six points. They also held the Mules to 31% from the field in the first quarter.
 
Johns Hopkins dominated in the rebound category, outrebounding Muhlenberg 46-28 to help propel them to the victory. Parisi, Michaela O'Neil and Greta Miller led the Jays in boards with seven a piece. Overall, the Mules shot just 30% from the field and three-point range. Johns Hopkins have held every opponent to under 40% shooting so far this season.
 
Miller led Johns Hopkins in points with a career-high 17 points, followed by Parisi with 10, Murray with 8 and freshman Kendall Dunham added in 8 points off the bench.
 
Muhlenberg were led by Ava Connolly who had 11 points, Margaux Eripret with 10 and Rachel Saxton with 9.
 
Johns Hopkins returns to action next Tuesday, Nov. 22, when they take on conference rival Gettysburg on the road (6 pm).