Box Score Though Otterbein University had not won a game in University Heights in nearly 11 years, the Cardinals showed up Wednesday night and gave the John Carroll men's basketball team a run for its money in a crucial conference matchup.

In a tale of two periods, the Cardinals would own the first half, while the Blue Streaks returned the favor in the second stanza on their way to a 60-52 victory at the DeCarlo Varsity Center.

Shooting just 34.3 percent from three-point range all season, Otterbein came into the contest ranked eighth in the league in shooting from beyond the arc. With an average of only 6.3 three-pointers per game, the Cardinals sunk six in the first half alone.

JCU was able to capitalize on eight fouls committed by Otterbein in the first half, draining eight of ten free throws, but sloppy play and poor shooting limited the Blue Streaks as they turned the ball over 11 times in the first, while shooting just 22.2 percent from the field.

“Obviously it was not a work of art in the first half. A lot of our turnovers were unforced errors. Injuries, sickness, and three straight losses [heading into this game] was a formula for disaster,” commented JCU head coach Mike Moran.

“Like in golf, no one ever goes out with the idea that they're not going to put the ball in the hole,” Moran continued. “It's a fickle game, and not it's not like their intent is not there. [This season] is a learning process, and every game gives these guys more experience.”

Efficiency from long distance allowed Otterbein to jump out to an early 22-8 lead. The Blue Streaks then utilized a sound defense and a team offensive effort to power a 9-0 run, before back-and-forth three pointers ended the first period with Otterbein holding on to a 30-23 lead.

The second half would see much stronger, cleaner play from the Blue and Gold, as sophomore guard David Hendrickson used strong three-point shooting of his own to spark a 27-12 JCU run and give the Streaks their first lead of the game. Hendrickson ended the night with a game high 22 points, including five three-pointers.

“Hendrickson really stepped up,” said Moran. “This was one of the few games he started, which revs his engine.”

The Blue Streaks' play was further highlighted by a season high eight blocks, five of which came from senior center Kenny Janz, who brought down a career-best 18 rebounds and scored nine points.

The bright spot of the night for the Cards came from junior guard Colin Echelberry, who sunk six three-point shots and finished with 18 points.

This victory brings John Carroll to 7-8, 4-5 in league play, while Otterbein falls to 5-11 and 2-6 in the Ohio Athletic Conference.

The Streaks will stay at home this Saturday, January 19 for a 2 p.m. contest against Ohio Northern. This will be a crucial matchup for JCU, which sits in four-way tie for fourth place in the conference.