LANCASTER, PA -- Maureen Myers connected on seven-of-eight free-throw attempts over the final 38 seconds of play as the #14 Johns Hopkins Blue Jays survived a late run by Franklin & Marshall to hold on for a 70-62 victory.
Leading 59-45 with 4:15 left on the game clock, the Blue Jays' (15-2, 10-1 CC) lead began to dwindle as point guard Dana Johns (So., York, PA/Eastern York) drained a three-pointer and center Amy Abernathy (Sr., Far Hills, NJ/American School-Paris) hit a lay-up to slice the lead to nine points with 3:53 left to play.
Following a basket by Ashanna Randall at the 3:22 mark, guard Courtney Tierney (Sr., Princeton, PA/Hun School) pushed F&M (8-8, 8-4 CC) to within eight courtesy a "three" from the top of the arc. She sliced the lead to six on the Diplomats next possession as Tierney made a pair of free throws to move Franklin & Marshall to within 61-55 with 2:31 to play.
The two teams exchanged baskets as Abernathy hit a jumper and JHU's Katie Kimball knocked down a bucket for a 63-57 game with 1:36 to go.
After a missed free throw on a "one-and-one" by Kimball, Abernathy connected on a lay-up with 39.5 seconds in the game as the Diplomats trailed 63-59.
Needing a foul to regain possession of the ball, Tierney fouled Myers who connected on the first of a "one-and-one" but missed the second. The ball caromed off the rim and back into the hands of Myers who was fouled by Johns. Possessing a second chance, Myers made both shots to push Hopkins out in front 66-59 with 36.1 seconds left on the board.
Following a missed F&M shot, Tierney fouled Myers who drained both opportunities at the charity stripe for a nine point lead with 27.2 seconds left to play. Tierney then drained a three-pointer to move her team within six (68-62) with 16.6 seconds showing on the clock, but Myers closed out the game with another pair of free throws off a foul by Johns for the 70-62 final.
Overall, Myers finished with 12 points on two-of-seven shooting from the field and seven-of-eight at the free-throw line. Ashanna Randall led the 'Jays with 20 points and five rebounds as she connected on 10-of-15 from the floor, including six-of-eight in the second half.
For F&M, Abernathy led the way with a game high 21 points and 11 rebounds, while Tierney chipped in 20 points. Forward Lauren Dodrill (Jr., Timonium, MD/Roland Park) added eight points and 10 rebounds as the Diplomats held a 33-24 advantage in rebounds.
In the first half, the two teams remained close as Abernathy connected on six-of-six from the field with six rebounds as the Diplomats built a 21-17 lead before Hopkins stormed back behind Randall's four field goals for a 29-25 lead at intermission.
The key to the game was turnovers as the Diplomats committed 34, including 17 in the second half, while Hopkins corralled 19 steals and turned the ball over 18 times for the game.
F&M will continue the season on February 5 at home versus Elizabethtown College. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m.
