Box Score Recent history repeated itself on Thursday night as the John Carroll Blue Streaks picked up their eighth straight win over the 'Berg with a 88-76 victory at the Tony DeCarlo Varsity Center.

With the win, the Blue Streaks improved to 8-1 when playing at home this season.

The win also pushed John Carroll's overall record to 16-2, matching the best 18-game mark in program history. Only the 1992-93 squad posted 16 wins in its first 18 games.

The Blue and Gold (16-2, 11-2 OAC) came out of the gates firing, establishing a 13-4 lead just five minutes into the game. JCU continued to build upon that lead, using offensive firepower from freshman Katlyn Spahar to extend their advantage to 26-12 just eight minutes into the game. The 'Berg would fight back, however, cutting the deficit to just seven, as the Blue Streaks led 36-29 with 4:24 remaining before halftime.

But the Blue Streaks would respond with a 7-1 run of their own, topped off by an and-one from Emily Johanson that gave JCU a 43-30 lead.

The Blue Streaks would continue to maintain their advantage, using 20 first-half points from Katlyn Spahar to post a 47-33 lead at intermission.

"She's definitely not playing or contributing like a freshman," said head coach Kelly Morrone of the younger Spahar. "Typically you see them riding that roller coaster, and she's been pretty consistent the whole way through. She just wants to win. She's really comfortable with the ball now … she's such a mismatch problem with how long she is. She's going up and over people and it's like Go-Go gadget arms to the basket."

Senior Missy Spahar chipped in nine points, junior Beth Switzler had eight points and six rebounds and senior Allie Lustig dished out five assists to complete the team effort for JCU.

Despite trailing by double-digits at halftime, the 'Berg showed some grit by battling back in the second half.

Heidelberg connected on 13 of their first 19 shots in the second half, a run that was capped off by a Paige Ricketts layup to trim the deficit to just four, 68-64, with 9:59 remaining in the game. Kathleen Phillips, the second-leading scorer in the OAC behind Missy Spahar, scored 10 points during the 'Berg's hot streak after scoring just eight in the first half.

Both teams went scoreless over the next two minutes before a pair of Missy Spahar free throws put JCU's lead back to six, 70-64, with 7:41 left in the game.

More free throws from Spahar and a 3-pointer from Lustig pushed the lead back to 10 for JCU, 76-66, with less than six minutes remaining in the game.

From there, the Blue Streaks would continue to ice the game, but the final dagger came when Katlyn Spahar completed an and-one opportunity to give JCU an 86-73 lead with 1:11 left in the game.

The Spahar sisters combined for 48 points (26 from Katlyn, 22 from Missy) while Switzler dropped 14 points and a career-high 16 rebounds.

"They're doubling and tripling Missy, and she's still capable of putting together a 20 point game," said Morrone. "However, when she's attracting that much attention, it really gives Beth the room to work on the weak side. While she had some easy baskets on the weak side, what I love about her is she's just so tough. She just took the ball from people. That's something you can't teach. She's got that killer instinct, and it's definitely what got her the 16 boards tonight and we needed them."

Heidelberg, which was paced by 24 points and five assists from Kathleen Phillips, is the first of four teams John Carroll will play over the next nine days that had a record of .500 or above. The win tonight keeps the Blue Streaks in sole possession of first place -- one game ahead of Capital and Baldwin Wallace, who happen to be the next two opponents.

"We just keep it consistent,' said Morrone. "We prepare the same way for each game no matter what. Obviously there are some things we can adjust defensively, rebounding -wise and tweaks here and there … but at this point in the season, our practices keep getting better, our offense keeps getting better and defensively we just find a way. They found a way at really important times [tonight]. They're going to come ready to practice, which makes my job really easy.