Box Score

Senior nights should be, by definition, joyous occasions. So it was fitting on a night the Blue Streaks honored their eight seniors that there was much cause for celebration.

But only for so long.

John Carroll's home victory over Muskingum Wednesday night sets up a big battle for first place in the Ohio Athletic Conference.

The Blue Streaks, who easily defeated the Muskies, 87-50, will face Marietta on the road Saturday for a game that, for all intents and purposes, is for the regular season championship. Both teams are 12-5 in the conference after JCU's win and Marietta's upset of Capital, the former sole occupiers of first place, on Wednesday.

“We couldn't have asked for a better win,” said senior Corey Shontz who scored 14 points against Muskingum.  “Our last game is going to be in a hostile environment.  This is going to be the biggest game of the season.”

Wednesday's game was an exciting way for the seniors to end their regular-season home games in the Tony DeCarlo Varsity Center. The team made the victory look easy, leading by double digits for a majority of the game.

It was also an emotional game for the eight seniors, who have been honoring the ninth member Matt Crozier this season.  Crozier, who wore No. 50, passed away last New Years.  Shontz honored the memory of Crozier on Wednesday.

“Wearing No. 50 tonight wasn't just important to me, it was more important to the entire team,” explained Shontz.  “It was a great honor to play and win for the great friend and player.”

This class has accomplished many things over the past four years including an 81-27 record, which is the best four year winning percentage of any class in John Carroll history.  Other highlights include two OAC regular season titles, one OAC tournament championship, and two NCAA playoff appearances.

Senior night wasn't the only reason to play hard against Muskingum.  The game's outcome would determine whether the Blue Streaks would have a chance at first place in the OAC and home-court advantage in the tournament.

“We knew we had to do whatever it takes and [head] coach [Mike Moran] always says to get the job done,” explained Hester.  “We played til exhaustion.”

With the win, here are the possible scenarios for the Streaks:

• A win Saturday gives them outright first place and a home game Thursday in the conference tournament.
• A loss would likely mean third place and a home game Tuesday.  That assumes Capital defeats Muskingum on Saturday.  But if Muskingum wins, JCU takes second place and earns a home game on Thursday.

Wednesday's win made these outcomes possible and included strong performances from the seniors.
Senior forward Mark Hester scored a team high of 18 points and senior forward Kyle Hubbard grabbed team best seven rebounds.  Hester had posted back to back dunks to help boost the team and stands energy.

In a salute to the seniors, fans cheered as Moran pulled each senior out of the game one by one while the clock dwindled. Seniors include Greg Brown, Mike Hartnett, Hester, Hubbard, Joe Meyer, Shontz, Conor Sweeney, and Pat Sweeney.