For those who were sure that this would be a rebuilding season for the men's basketball team, the 69-68 score favoring Hopkins which hung in the Goldfarb Gym was all that was needed to quiet the doubters. The Blue Jays' latest win Saturday afternoon against the Washington College Shoremen also kept their fans on the edge of their seats.
"It was great for the seniors to win our final home game especially in front of the best crowd we had all season long," senior forward Kevin Roach said.
The Jays entered the second period with a four-point lead, which was quickly erased by the Shoremen after four minutes into the half. Hopkins played catch-up from that point on and the game was sent into overtime with only five seconds left in regulation on a foul line free throw by sophomore guard Pat O'Connell.
In the bonus basketball that ensued, Hopkins struggled to keep the lead again, but the team was successful in keeping the deficit to no more than three points for the entirety of overtime play. The crowd was in suspense and the Jays finally struck with 13 seconds left on the clock. Sophomore forward Andrew Farber-Miller wasted no time after entering the game four seconds earlier, tipping-in a missed three-pointer to cut the lead to one. Washington turned the ball over in the next play and senior guard Doug Polster came in for a quick lay-up, producing the final lead change in the game. With nine seconds left, Farber-Miller headed down the court to flash some game-saving defense, blocking a jumper from the visiting team to secure the victory.
"Although it wasn't our best basketball of the year it made for a memorable last regular season game for our seniors," Farber-Miller said.
The feeling and atmosphere of the game encapsulated the energy and fortitude of the Jays for the duration of their season; the team always seemed able to find a way to pull it out in the end.
The Jays played a record-setting seven overtime games this season, and came out with the win in six of those occasions.
Their most recent was in fact their previous game, three days prior against the McDaniel College Green Terror who were beaten by the score of 76-68. The Jays cut it even closer in this game with a thrilling three-pointer from Polster to knot it up seconds from the end of regulation play. However, it wasn't quite a thriller in overtime, as the Jays dominated in the end, when it counted.
"The victory helped to reinforce the strong confidence we have in our ability to win close games," sophomore guard Matt Dapas said.
The team played considerably better in comparison to the Washington game, shooting 38 percent from outside the perimeter and 54 percent overall against the Terror, reminiscent of how things went in seasons past. But the guys were not afraid to carry a chip on their shoulder this year, as they quickly became a dark horse candidate.
"Last year we were touted to win the conference," sophomore forward Adam Baumgartner said. "This year a lot of people questioned if we would even be in the playoffs. We feel more like the underdogs rather than the favorites. I like that a lot, it shows how we have achieved what people thought we could not."
The Jays lost five talented seniors in the team's off-season, four of which were forwards. That threw young and inexperienced post players into the spotlight whether they were ready or not. But in keeping to the theme this season, they exceeded expectations by averaging just short of 35 rebounds and three blocks per game over the course of the
four of which were forwards. That threw young and inexperienced post players into the spotlight whether they were ready or not. But in keeping to the theme this season, they exceeded expectations by averaging just short of 35 rebounds and three blocks per game over the course of the year. Still, when it comes to the Jays' impending entrance into the postseason, there is plenty of the old-guard around to rely on for advice.
Come-from-behind wins are something entirely new for members that played last season. The team was down by double digits in the second half but overcame in the end to win in the first round of the Centennial Conference Tournament against Villa Julie.
"That game helped show the team that we can come back from any deficit yet warned us that anyone could do the same to us. The experience in last year's tournament may give us an advantage in high pressure games over some of the other teams," co-captain Roach said.
Amassing a 16-9 season record with 12 conference wins clinched the Jays as the third seed in the conference this year. Most importantly, it gives the team a well-deserved full week free of games to prepare for their first round bout with the Gettysburg College Bullets in Collegeville, Pa. this Saturday. The Jays have fallen victim to the Bullets twice this season but they take solace in the old adage that the third time will be the charm.
"It is very hard for a team to beat another three times in one year so we're looking forward to the game," co-captain Polster said.
