Offense has been John Carroll's calling card so far this year, yet it would be the
defense that would enable the Blue Streaks to earn a 63-59 victory over Muskingum Universty in New Concord Saturday.
Box Score
One defensive play in particular exemplified the type of effort put forth by the Blue Streaks. Ahead 61-59 with six ticks left on the clock, John Carroll's
Lee Jennings would steal the ball away from reigning Ohio Athletic Conference Player of the Week Suzanne Nichols after an offensive rebound. Jennings would make two free throws at the other end following a foul to put the game out of reach.
John Carroll nearly led wire-to-wire, giving up the lead on just one occasion. Despite starting the game on an 8-0 run, the Blue Streaks found themselves down 11-10 with 12:32 to play in the opening period following a Nichols lay-up. Jennings responded nine seconds later with a lay-up of her own, and JCU never trailed again.
John Carroll led 26-23 at the half, and would slowly pullaway from the Muskies over the course of the second half. When
Whitney Hamilton made a jumper with 4;10 showing on the clock, it would give the Blue Streaks their first double-digit lead of the contest at 56-46.
Muskingum, however, had one last run in them. An 8-0 burst, capped by a pair of Amanda Dobbins free throws with 58 seconds left, pulled the Muskies to within two points at 56-54.
Jennings and
Sadie Zander would combine to go 7-8 from the free throw line down the stretch, allowing the Blue Streaks to preserve their lead.
Jennings would score a season- and career-high 29 points for John Carroll (2-4, 1-1 OAC), which snapped a four-game skid with its victory. She was 9-18 from the field and 11-13 from the charity stripe for her point total, which combined with ten rebounds gave her the second double-double of her career. The first was against Oberlin (12 points, 10 rebounds) on November 25, 2008.
Zander and hamilton each added ten points, and
Katie Knox pulled down a career-high 15 boards to help JCU win the rebound battle, 48-43.
Muskingum (4-3, 0-2 OAC), which dropped its second in a row after a 4-1 start, was led by 14 points apiece from Nichols and Dobbins.
