Box Score It was a wire-to-wire win for John Carroll in its first appearance in the NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Championship, but it was hardly routine.

Behind an 18-point, 10-assist double-double from Allie Lustig and a game-high 20 points from fellow senior Missy Spahar, the Blue Streaks prevailed over Texas Lutheran, 74-62, in a first round game held at the Connor Center on the campus of Thomas More College in Crestview Hills, Kentucky.

John Carroll advances to play either Thomas More or Salem College on Saturday in a second round game Saturday, March 8, at 6:30 p.m.

"I thought it was the typical kind of game you will see in the NCAA Tournament," said John Carroll head coach Kelly Morrone. "Both teams struggled on offense early, but we started finding our shot midway through the first half and got some points in transition."

For the John Carroll program, which was making its first appearance in NCAA postseason play, the key was managing the moment.

"We treated this like just another road game," said Lustig. "We prepared the same, warmed up the same, we just did everything the same, and it worked out for us."

John Carroll held a 13-8 lead after the first four minutes of play, then used an Emily Taylor three-pointer to kick start a 9-2 run that gave the Blue Streaks their first double digit lead.

But Texas Lutheran found a way to cut into the lead. On three occasions, the Bulldogs reduced their deficit to three points in the opening half, the last of which was on a Bianca Casas jumper at the 5:57 mark to make the score 29-26.

"We weren't doing a great job on the boards and we allowed them second chances that obviously hurt us," said Morrone.

The Blue Streaks responded by closing out the half on a 13-4 run, capped by a Lustig three-pointer to give John Carroll a 42-30 lead at intermission.

"In games where there is so much of an emotional element involved, it is important to have momentum heading into the locker room," said Morrone.

JCU opened the second half much the way they ended the first, and moved its advantage out to 17 points. When Beth Switzler dropped in a lay-up with 9:01 showing on the second half clock, the Blue Streaks led 61-44.

Just as they did in the first half, the Bulldogs tightened up a JCU double-digit lead. Fueled by three consecutive field goals by Kristen Lye, Texas Lutheran uncorked an 18-7 run over the next six minutes to pull to within 68-62.

It was during a timeout that both coaches and players realized the same thing.

"We all knew we had been here before," said Missy Spahar. "We were confident in each other that we would find a way."

Morrone concurred with that assessment.

"We knew we had to control our emotions, take care of the ball, and limit them to one shot," said Morrone. "We did that very effectively. We got some big plays in the final minutes, and we got back into a comfortable place, which for us, is the free throw line."

Over the final three minutes, John Carroll held Texas Lutheran off the scoreboard and scored the final six points – two on an Emily Taylor lay-up and four on free throws by Lustig.

"We walked off the court feeling very good about beating a quality opponent and advancing to the next round of the tournament," said Morrone.

Lustig got her 18 points on 5-8 shooting, including 4-7 from three-point range, and was 4-4 from the free throw line.

Missy Spahar added her own double-double with 20 points and ten rebounds, and also dished out six assists.

Taylor and Katlyn Spahar each chalked up 14 points as JCU shot 44.3 percent from the floor (27-61) as compared to Texas Lutheran's 37.3 (25-67).

The rebounding battle ended up even at 39-39.

"They are a driving team," said Katyln Spahar. "Sometimes they shoot the three but they look to drive and shoot, and if they miss, hustle for the rebound. We did a much better job in the second half limiting them, especially late in the game."

Texas Lutheran, whose season ended at 23-6, was led by 17 points from Taylor Dydalewicz. Savannah Hight added 15 and Lye scored 14 – eight in the second half.