Box Score With the first conference title in program history in their sights, every remaining game for the John Carroll women's basketball team is vital.

On Saturday afternoon, the Blue Streaks struck a blow against a major rival.

Senior Missy Spahar scored 18 points and racked up 12 rebounds as the Blue Streaks prevailed over the Capital Crusaders, 80-64, in Bexley, Ohio.

The win was the third consecutive for John Carroll (17-2,11-2 OAC) against Capital (13-7,10-4 OAC) in the renewed rivalry, and just the tenth for the Blue Streaks in the series history.

It was also John Carroll's largest margin of victory over Capital in any location.

The two teams entered the game battling for control of the Ohio Athletic Conference. As one of three teams within shouting distance of the Blue Streaks, the atmosphere was intense in the Capital Center.

The Blue Streaks roared out to a 20-7 lead to start the first half. After a John Carroll timeout at the 9:13 mark, the Crusaders regrouped. Capital finished off the half on a 14-6 run including hitting four straight shots to cut the lead to just four at intermission (30-26).

John Carroll once again took their opponent by storm out of the break, putting together a 16-6 stretch that took the air out of the Crusaders. Junior Emily Taylor dropped five points and three assists in the first few minutes, pacing a Blue Streaks attack that took a 14 point lead with 14:10 remaining.

Taylor would finish with 12 points and four assists. Freshman Katlyn Spahar had a strong afternoon as well, ending the day with 12 points and contributing three assists of her own. The leading scorer for the Crusaders was freshman Simonne Gage, who scored 12 points on 4-of-10 shooting.

Capital cut the lead to just seven with 11:41 left off five straight points by junior Jamie Caton. The forward had seven points, but she and her teammates were unable to stop Missy Spahar in the post. The second highest scorer in all of Division III was active in the paint, getting to the free throw line six times, hitting all six of her shots.

A physical Blue Streaks offensive attack then knocked the Crusaders out, ripping of a final 18-7 run that put the game out of reach. Gage and fellow Capital freshman Kristen Thompson both fouled out late, stunting any chance Capital had to come back.

The rivalry reared its head late in the game, as Gage was assessed a foul, then she and Taylor were called for technical fouls after the play.

The Blue Streaks finished shooting only 43.1 percent from the floor, but dominated on defense, keeping Capital to 31.7 percent on 20-of-63 shooting. John Carroll got back on track on the boards, out-rebounding the Crusaders 46-37.

Missy Spahar led all scorers with 18 points, with Beth Switzler (16), Taylor (12), Katlyn Spahar (12) and Meghan Weber (10) all reaching double figures.

The win puts the Blue Streaks in the driver's seat going forward in the OAC. It also gives added meaning to Wednesday night's game against Baldwin Wallace at the DeCarlo Varsity Center. A victory against the Yellow Jackets would extend the lead over all teams to two with only three games remaining.