Box Score Returning to conference play the John Carroll University men's basketball team looked to continue its strong start to the season. Muskingum's Clay Owings had other plans.

Owings hit a buzzer-beating as Muskingum University came back and hung on to take the 87-85 nail-biter on Saturday afternoon in New Concord.

Danny Wallack fought hard to keep the Blue and Gold in the game.

The sophomore buried a 3-pointer with 32 seconds remaining to tie the score at 85. Wallack also had a critical offensive rebound and a free throw with just over a minute remaining to keep John Carroll one point behind Muskingum.

David Hendrickson scored a season-high 21 points. The junior played a key role in giving JCU a 7-point halftime lead. Hendrickson scored 13 of his points in the first half.

Struggling from the free throw line as of late, the Blue Streaks put together a solid day at the charity stripe finishing 27-of-34 as a team.

Junior Jake Hollinger had a busy day at the free throw line converting 10 of his 11 chances. Hollinger finished with 16 points and secured a game-high nine rebounds.

Joey Vuyancih (7-for-8) and Hendrickson (6-for-7) also helped the Blue Streaks to their second-highest free throw percentage of the season.

The Blue Streaks, who led for most of the game, managed to keep the Fighting Muskies at bay until Cody Seiler put Muskingum on top with 6:27 remaining in the game.

John Carroll would never lead the rest of the way but the Blue Streaks did keep the game within two possessions.

Vuyancih (13) and Will Starks (11) also reached double figures for JCU. The Blue Streaks recorded 14 steals led by Hendrickson's five.

John Carroll fell to 8-3, 2-2 OAC on the season while Muskingum improved to 6-4, 1-4 OAC.

The men's basketball team returns home for the first time in over a month when the Blue Streaks take on Heidelberg at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 8