Box Score Looking to close out a game strong the John Carroll University men's basketball team maintained its composure down the stretch during the opening game of the Rhodes College Crowne Plaza Holiday Basketball Tournament.

Led by five players in double figures scoring and a balanced rebounding effort, the Blue Streaks cruised to a 99-86 win over the Yellow Jackets in Memphis, Tenn. on Saturday.

"It was a sloppy game but we are happy with the win," said head coach Mike Moran. "The big thing is going to be for us to get another one tomorrow to make the trip a success."

Howard Payne's Bryan Adams buried a jumper with 15:03 remaining in the second half to pull the Yellow Jackets within nine as the teams started the second half by trading baskets back and forth.

The Blue Streaks sharpshooters found their groove as 3-pointers by Will Starks, David Hendrickson and Danny Wallack helped to open up an 18-point Blue Streak lead just 3:12 later.

John Carroll would lead by at least nine points the rest of the way.

The Blue and Gold came out on fire connecting from all angles as seven players scored a field goal in the first seven minutes of the game as JCU only missed four shots early.

Midway through the first half Joey Vuyancih took over.

Making six of his first seven shots from the field, the sophomore erupted for a monster first half and equaled his season-high of 14 points in the first stanza alone. He would go on to finish with a team-high 16 points. Vuyancih also grabbed a team-high seven rebounds to become the first guard to lead the team in rebounding since David Hendrickson tied Kyle Hubbard for the team lead with six rebounds at Otterbein on Feb. 13.

Starks also put together a solid game for the Blue Streaks. The sophomore, who only reached double figures twice in his collegiate career prior to today contributed with a career-high 15 points.

Joining Starks and Vuyancih in double figures were Wallack (15), Hollinger (15) and Linane (10).

Hollinger led the charge on the defensive end of the floor and finished with three of the Blue Streaks seven blocked shots.

The Blue Streaks improved to 7-2 on the year.

John Carroll will square off against the winner of the Rhodes College/Austin College game at 3 p.m. ET on Sunday.