The shots were not dropping as consistently as John Carroll had hoped, so the Blue Streaks turned to a familiar recipe to deliver a victory Saturday afternoon over Muskingum University 

John Carroll, ranked #2 in Division III by D3hoops.com, used a dominating defensive effort in handing the visiting Fighting Muskies a 76-66 defeat at the DeCarlo Varsity Center. The Blue Streaks caused 23 turnovers, marking the fourth time in six games this season that JCU had forced its opponent into at least 20 miscues.

Box Score

Sophomore Joey Meyer started what would be a 20-8 run to start the game with a three-pointer to start off the game. Muskingum was able to trim it down to six points at 22-16 on a lay-up by Seth Howard with just under eight minutes to play in the half, but JCU would take a 36-24 lead into halftime, with Muskingum scoring as many field goals (8) as free throws (8) in the opening 20 minutes..

The second half was all John Carroll, as the Blue Streaks would lead by as many as 24 points, the last of which was a 70-46 advantage with 4:06 left to play . The closest the Muskies would come to the Streaks would be the final margin, aided by an 11-1 run in the final 57 seconds.

John Carroll (6-0, 2-0 OAC) was paced by 17 points, seven assists and five steals from Corey Shontz, who was 8-15 from the field. Rudy Kirbus added 13 points as the only other Blue Streak in double figures.

“To reach the prize, we have to focus on not being complacent, satisfied, and lazy," said junior Mauruica Haynes, who ended the game with six points, six rebounds and a blocked shot.  "We can always get better.”

Muskingum (3-4, 0-2 OAC) was led by 16 points and a seven boards from Nick Hershberger. The Muskies were just 4-22 (.182) from three-point range, and after going 8-8 from the free throw line in the opening half, struggled in the second by making just 10-18 (.556)

“I don't know what happened with our free throws, it just comes and goes," said Muskingum head coach Gene Ford. "If one person makes it then everyone does. If one person doesn't make it then everyone does. We do need to work on shooting the ball better and cut turnovers.”