Corey Shontz made a three-pointer to give JCU a 15-point first half advantage, but the lead would not hold up against Rutgers-Newark
Box Score
John Carroll led for most of the contest, but it was a lay-up by the Rutgers-Newark Scarlet Knights in the closing seconds that proved to be the difference in a 76-74 decision that went against the Blue Streaks Friday evening in the opening round of the Buffalo State Coles Classic in Buffalo, New York.
The Blue Streaks burst out of the gates against Rugers-Newark, jumping out to an 11-2 lead just three-and-a-half minutes in. JCU would increase its lead to 30-15 on a three-point field goal by Corey Shontz.
Despite a few runs by Rutgers-Newark, John Carroll held a comfortable 40-30 lead at the intermission.
Things got uncomfotable in the opening minutes of the second half, as the Scarlet Knights sliced John Carroll's lead down to a single point thanks to a 14-5 run fueled by Desawhn Singleton and Tim Smith. The Blue Streaks weathered the run, however, and pushed the lead back to double figures. A pair of free throws by Brian Hamrick with 9:11 to play gave JCU a 62-50 lead.
The Scarlet Knights had a game-changing answer when they scored 10 of the next 11 points. Whenj Singleton made two free throws with 3:36 remaining in regulation, he gave his team their first lead of the contest.
Down the stretch, the lead changed hands twice, and the score was knotted three times -- the last of which occured with 17 seconds showing on the second half clock. Rudy Kirbus, after getting a steal, sank two free throws to tie the game at 74-74.
The stage was set for Rutgers-Newark to get the last shot, and to the dismay of the Blue Streaks, the Scarlet Knights wound up getting two. The initial game-winning attempt by James Johnson did not hit its mark, but Ryan Gillens got the rebound and put in the game winning score with three ticks left.
Rutgers-Newark (3-0) got 52 of its 76 points from the junior trio of Singleton (21), Gillens (17) and Johnson (14). The Scarlet Knights had come into the game winning its first two contests of the year by an average margin of 33.5 points.
John Carroll (0-1), making its 2008-09 debut, received 13 points from Maurice Haynes II and 12 from Kirbus. It was a balanced attack for the youthful JCU squad, as 11 players scored at least two points for the Blue Streaks tonight. What hurt John Carroll the most, however, was 21 turnovers.
The Blue Streaks will play in Saturday's consolation game against either Buffalo State or Thomas More at 1:00 p.m.
