Box Score Utilizing a lot of energy and hustle on the court the John Carroll University men's basketball team withstood Capital University to earn its first OAC road win of the season on Saturday afternoon in Bexley, Ohio.

Led by the initial burst of energy from Jake Hollinger, the rest of the Blue Streaks chipped to lead JCU to an 81-67 win. JCU improved to 6-1 on the season and 2-1 in league play. Capital fell to 3-5, 1-2 OAC.

Hollinger set the energetic tone for the Blue and Gold throwing down a monster dunk three minutes into the game. Not to be overlooked however was the Blue and Gold's leading scorer's effort on the defensive end of the court in the first half.

"Jake has had a tremendous season for us," said assistant coach Frank O'Brien. "If we had to give out a most improved player since last season Jake would have to be the guy. He's really picked up his game. I think the other guys feed off of him with his energy level, not only on dunks but on blocked shots and how he runs the floor. He's really been giving us a boost."

Already with a pair of blocks to his credit in the first half the junior rejected two more Crusader shots with less than 30 seconds remaining to finish the first half with four blocks to his credit. For the game, Hollinger notched his second career double-double finishing with 17 points, 11 rebounds and five blocks.

The hustle did not end with Hollinger as the OAC's top rebounding squad came out and took care of cleaning up missed shot attempts. JCU recorded seven offensive rebounds in the first eight minutes of play and enjoyed a 43-30 advantage on the boards.

With the Crusaders chipping and clawing their way back into the game the entire second half, the Blue Streak marksmen made sure the Blue and Gold would stay in front.

Capital's Andrew Bolka sank a pair of free throws with 8:47 remaining in the game to pull Capital within two at 56-54 before the Blue Streaks went to work.

Three 3-pointers by Danny Wallack, David Hendrickson and Joey Vuyancih coupled with Hollinger's second big dunk of the game gave JCU a 17-4 run over the ensuing 4:07 putting John Carroll up by 15 points.

"They made a nice run," said O'Brien. "Our kids buckled up their belts and decided we're going to start playing again. We rebounded well. We got the ball out (in transition). We hit a couple of shots there which was important. It's probably about the best we've shot on the three (3-pointers) all year."

Wallack (16) and Hendrickson (13) joined Hollinger in double figures.

The win snapped a three-game skid against the Crusaders.

The men's basketball team remains on the road when it travels to Terre Haute, Ind. to take on Rose-Hulman at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 21.