Box Score Needing a win to stay tied on top of the OAC standings the No. 19 John Carroll University women's basketball team found itself in a position it had not been in for most of the season, down and down big.

Trailing by 22 points with 16:29 remaining and playing at Wilmington where the Blue Streaks sported a 1-14 record coming in to Saturday's contest John Carroll needed to get hot shooting and get hot shooting fast.

Led by torrid shooting down the stretch JCU answered the call and came storming back. Freshman Katlyn Spahar capped the rally with a game-winning layup with 3.3 seconds remaining in the 85-84 decision.

"The determination, focus and pride that our kids played with earned the win," said head coach Kelly Morrone. "They just gutted out what was a tough circumstance in the second half of a road game. Sometimes it's not about fixing anything technical as much as it is just digging deep and going for it."

JCU quickly cut its deficit to 11 with 11:58 remaining as the Blue Streaks came away with points on nine of their ensuing 10 possessions down the floor. A good free throw by Katlyn Spahar with 11:04 remaining breathed new life into JCU as the Blue Streaks pulled within single digits at 69-60.

Relying on its upperclassmen to pave the way and will the Blue Streaks to victory Missy Spahar, Allie Lustig and Beth Switzler took over on the offensive end and had Wilmington on the ropes clinging to a 71-68 lead with 7:50 remaining in the game.

Missy Spahar, starting her JCU record 99th career game, briefly put John Carroll ahead 74-73 with 3:48 remaining but Wilmington's Brittaney Jefferson answered right back with a 3-pointer to put the Fightin' Quakers up two.

Looking for a spark at the end of the game Katlyn Spahar came through. The freshman buried a 3-pointer with 1:15 remaining to tie the game at 81. Her layup with 38 seconds remaining gave JCU a 2-point lead.

Wilmington's Courtney Tucker connected on a 3-pointer on the ensuing Fightin' Quaker possession to make it a 1-point WC lead before Katlyn Spahar put home the game-winner.

The Blue Streaks started the game strong leading for the first nine minutes of the game before the Fighin' Quakers took over shotting a torrid 63 percent in the first half.

Lustig was nearly lights-out from the field finishing 8 for 10 en route to a career-high 22 points on the afternoon. Both Spahar sisters finished with 20 points. Missy Spahar added a career-best six blocked shots.

John Carroll improved to 18-3, 14-3 OAC on the season while Wilmington fell to 12-11, 9-7 OAC.

The women's basketball team remains on the road when it heads to Medaille for a 6 p.m. contest on Monday, Feb. 17.