Box Score

Rachael Price (Johnstown, PA, Bishop McCort) made a key steal and two free throws in the final ten seconds to help John Carroll avoid an upset bid by Marietta College in a 65-63 Blue Streaks victory Saturday afternoon in an Ohio Athletic Conference match-up held at the DeCarlo Varsity Center.

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It was instant redemption for Price, who went to the line with 12 seconds left to attempt two foul shots and her team clinging to a 63-61 lead. One of the top free throw percentage leaders in program history, Price uncharacteristically missed both free throws.

When Marietta's Lizz Wilson attempted to pass the ball up court to start a potential game-tying or game-winning possession, Price stepped into the passing lane for the steal. After being fouled, Price drained both free throws with seven seconds left to put John Carroll ahead by four points at 65-61.

The visiting Pioneers came into this game winless in league play, but made John Carroll play to the final whistle. It did not appear that would be the case early on, as the Blue Streaks led for the entire first half. When Caitlin Sureck (Medina, OH, Walsh Jesuit) scored on a lay-up with 5:36 to play in the opening period, she gave JCU a 33-18 advantage.

The tables started to turn toward the end of the first half, however. The Pioneers gained some momentum heading into the break by scoring 11 of the final 14 points of the period to cut JCU's lead down to 36-29.

Marietta kept the pressure on in the second half, and would take its first lead of the game when Wilson made the back end of a two-shot foul with 4:33 left in regulation.

The two teams traded baskets before Price, Sureck and senior Lana Kiko (Dalton, OH, Dalton) scored baskets on three consecutive possessions to give the host squad a 61-55 advantage with 1:40 showing on the clock.

JCU led 63-56 with 38 seconds left following two made free throws by price, but Marietta scored five quick points on a three-pointer by Amanda Carraher and two free throws by Nikki Driscoll to set up the dramatic final 12 seconds.

John Carroll (9-4, 4-2 OAC), which won its season-high fifth consecutive game and its second in a row without scoring leader Lee Jennings, was paced by a game-high 19 points from price. Sureck added 14 points and a game-high 12 rebounds.

Driscoll, Carraher and Wilson accounted for 43 of the 63 points scored by Marietta (2-12, 0-7 OAC), which dropped its tenth consecutive game.