Box Score
John Carroll's men's basketball team had a week to sit and think about a 14-point loss to Capital on its home floor last Saturday.
The Blue Streaks took out those frustrations on Muskingum this afternoon, rolling to a 104-62 win over the Muskies in front of an energized DeCarlo Varsity Center.
Kyle Hubbard made sure that John Carroll would not go into the holiday break unhappy, as he led the Streaks with 19 points and eight rebounds. Michael Klamo led the way for Muskingum with 15 points, while his teammate Dave Brown contributed 12 points of his own.
“We didn't want to go into the holidays with a winless home record and regrets about all the work we did so far,” said Hubbard.
Muskingum kept the game close early on, holding the game to a 9-8 score early in the first half. However, a 20-4 John Carroll run over a five minute span gave the home team a 29-12 lead. The Blue Streaks would walk into the half with a dominating 57-24 advantage.
Will Starks,
Kyle Pisco, and
Danny Wallack rained down six of the team's nine 3-pointers in the first half. Wallack had an 8-0 run himself before it was stopped by head coach Mike Moran's wholesale substitution.
The second half saw fireworks off the ball as well, as
Regan Sweeney and
Jake Hollinger were assessed technical fouls early in the second half. Moran emptied his bench in the closing minutes, with every player seeing the floor.
The Blue Streaks crossed the century mark in points for the first time since Dec. 29, 2010, when they defeated Spalding University (Ky.) at Wooster, 100-75. It was the first home 100-point effort since Feb. 20, 2010, when the Blue & Gold beat Ohio Northern, 109-83.
“It felt good when Derik [Young] hit that three to put us at 100,” said Hubbard. “We showed the OAC we can put up points.”
Hubbard also reflected on his role with the team. “I was talking to
Pete Moran before the game and he told me that I was in the same position he was as the oldest guy on the team.”
“It's my job to try and keep the young guys' heads straight and bring leadership," he added.
The team has now defeated Muskingum in 13 of the last 14 meetings and has not lost to the Muskies in University Heights since February 6, 2006. Muskingum has dropped 15 in a row dating back to Feb. 1, 2012.
With the win, John Carroll improves to 5-4 on the year and 3-2 in conference play. Next up is a matchup with the College of Wooster in the opening game of the “Mose” Hole/Kiwanis Classic. The holiday tournament begins in Wooster next Friday at 7:30 p.m.
