In a thrilling Centennial Conference matchup on Wednesday night, the visiting Swarthmore Garnet staged an impressive second-half comeback to defeat Johns Hopkins 81-72. The Blue Jays now stand at 15-9 overall and 9-3 in conference play, while Swarthmore improves to 16-8 and 8-4 in the league. Trailing significantly at halftime, Swarthmore's resilient performance saw them turn the tables with a dominant run that secured their victory.

The first half saw Johns Hopkins establish an early advantage, leading by as much as 10 points. However, it was a pivotal moment late in the half when Brady Kageyama converted two free throws, sparking a remarkable turnaround for the Garnet. This set the stage for an explosive second half where Swarthmore outscored the Blue Jays by a considerable margin. Key players like Zander Jimenez and Eddie Paquette were instrumental in this surge, contributing significantly to the scoring.

As the game progressed, Swarthmore maintained their momentum, extending their lead to double digits midway through the second half. Despite attempts by Hopkins to close the gap, including a three-pointer from John Windley and a layup by Tanti Felli, the Garnet held firm. Jeb Williams and Brian Johansson tried to rally the Blue Jays, but Swarthmore's lead proved insurmountable in the final minutes.

Charlie Jackson led the Blue Jays with 17 points and nine rebounds, while Johansson added 14 points and Williams contributed 12. For Swarthmore, Zander Jimenez was the standout performer, scoring a game-high 31 points and grabbing nine rebounds. Eddie Paquette and Matt Mulvey also had notable performances, each scoring 12 points. The win marks a significant achievement for Swarthmore, showcasing their ability to mount a comeback under pressure.

Johns Hopkins will conclude their regular season on Saturday, February 22, hosting the Dickinson Red Devils at Goldfarb Gym. Prior to tip-off at 6:00 pm, the team will honor its seniors and graduate students. The Blue Jays will aim to end the season on a high note, looking to build on this competitive performance.