John Carroll guard Lee Jennings scored a career-high 35 points but it was not enough to prevent a last-place Muskingum team from upsetting the Blue Streaks, 85-82. 

Box Score

After weathering a sustained Muskingum run, the Blue Streaks had a chance to tie the game in the closing seconds, but were unable to convert when junior forward Sadie Zander fired wide on a 3-point attempt.

John Carroll (9-9 overall, 6-6 OAC) came into the game tied for fourth place in their conference, possessing an inside track to a home game in the conference tournament. (The top four finishers in the conference get to host a home game.)

The Blue Streaks are now on the outside looking in as far as home court is concerned as they share fifth place with Wilmington.

The Muskies and Blue Streaks were locked in a back-and-forth battle throughout most of the game as the largest lead of the first 38 minutes was a 19-11 Muskingum lead midway through the first half. JCU held a 40-37 lead after the first half, in which Jennings netted 17 points, sending her well on her way to a career game.

“My plan was to just keep attacking,” Jennings said. “I just went in there thinking I could score.”

The junior guard continued to attack in the second half as she helped keep the Blue Streaks in the game despite a 14-6 run which gave the Muskies a 84-74 lead with 1:51 remaining.

Following a timeout, the Blue Streaks ripped off eight straight points, setting themselves up for a final possession and a chance to send the game into overtime.

Muskingum (7-12, 2-10) was led by sophomore forward Hannah Nelson who scored 25 points to help lift the Muskies out of last place in the OAC. Carissa Bosch and Taryn Payton each added 15.

JCU coach Kristie Maravalli said her team did not put themselves in a good position to win.

“I'm really disappointed with the effort today,” she said.” We played really poor defense. It's disappointing when Muskingum averages 60 points a game and we let them score 85.”

Jennings echoed the coach's sentiments. 

"Personal accolades mean nothing if the team doesn't win." said Jennings, who was 13-25 from the field and nearly had a triple-double with ten rebounds and nine assists. 

Maravalli took one thing away from the game, however, giving her a team challenge. 

“We need to make a decision as a team,” she said. “What do we want to be?”