Box Score The John Carroll Women's Basketball team took home third place at the 17th annual Allegheny Tip-Off Invitational Saturday afternoon.  The Blue & Gold defeated the Westminster College Titans, 53-48, in the consolation game of the tournament hosted by Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania. 

Box Score

The Blue Streaks, (2-1), were led by sophomore Missy Spahar who had twenty points off eight-of-fifteen shooting from the floor, along with eight rebounds.  Throughout three games so far in 2011, Spahar has been able to reach double digits in points scored each time.  Her twenty point performance today is also the twenty-second time in her career that she has posted double digits on the stat-sheet. 

“Missy's doing a great job,” said Blue Streaks Head Coach Kristie Maravalli.  “All three games [in 2011] she's been scoring big points for us, she's getting big stops defensively, and pulling down the boards, I couldn't be more happy with the way Missy's playing right now.”

The key to the Blue Streaks' victory Saturday afternoon began in the first half.  The Blue & Gold got off to a very fast start putting together a 13-4 scoring run within the first seven minutes of the contest.  The Titans would however cut the Blue Streaks lead throughout the remainder of the first half thanks to fifteen offensive rebounds directly leading to scoring opportunities.  The Blue Streaks led 28-21 at halftime.

In the second half, the Blue Streaks would extend their lead to eleven at the twelve minute mark.  Westminster would then respond with a run of their own making the score 44-41 Blue Streaks at the eight minute mark.  The Blue & Gold  would then finally put a halt to the Titans' run, and clinch their third-place victory with clutch shooting by Meghan Weber and Missy Spahar, along with sharpshooter-like passing from sophomore point-guard Allie Lustig.

“We started off pretty good, we came out with a lot of intensity and energy to start the game,” said Blue Streaks freshman forward Meghan Weber.  “It's all about winning games now and getting ready for OAC play.”