Box Score

After defeating Marietta by 15 at home earlier in the season, the John Carroll women's basketball team hoped to finish off the regular season on a high note against the Pioneers.

On Saturday afternoon in southern Ohio, the Pioneers had different plans.

With their playoff seed and a home game in the first round rematch with Marietta locked up, the Blue Streaks fell to the Pioneers in their final regular season game, 71-61, at Ban Johnson Arena.

Missy Spahar led all scorers with 21 points and eight rebounds, while Emily Jones and Paige Lamb had 15 and nine, respectively.

Neither team was able to gain momentum early, with John Carroll holding a 7-2 advantage nearly five minutes into the contest. After battling back to tie the game at 11 with 12:47 remaining in the first, Marietta erupted on a 17-7 run over the next eight minutes to take a 28-18 lead. The Pioneers would go into the half ahead 37-28.

Lustig hit four of her seven 3-pointers in the first half, compiling 12 points and one assist. She finished the day with 17. Jones would score nine of her 15 points in the first stanza for the Pioneers.

The Blue Streaks were able to cut the lead to as little as five in the second half, but Marietta pulled away late to secure the win. Heather Booth scored all nine of her points in the second half in the strong Pioneer effort. 

Neither squad will have much time to reflect on the results, however, as they will meet again Monday night in the Ohio Athletic Conference quarterfinals. The teams will tip-off at 6:00 p.m. at the Tony DeCarlo Varsity Center. Tickets are available beginning at 5:00 p.m. on Monday afternoon.