Game number 20 has been the Achilles heel in the past for the John Carroll University women's basketball team. That would not be the case on Wednesday evening.

Twice before, the Blue Streaks entered game 20 on the year with a 17-2 record. Never before had a team improved to 18-2.

Undefeated at home this year, John Carroll improved to 18-2 for the first time in school history with an 81-67 win over Otterbein inside the Tony DeCarlo Varsity Center.

JCU started the contest in a groove on both sides of the ball as it got off to an 11-0 lead in the opening five minutes of the game. The Blue Streaks forced two turnovers and outrebounded the Cardinals 8-3 during the run.

The next 12 minutes remained fairly competitive until freshman guard Shmoo Pryor hit a layup with 1:59 remaining as part of an 8-0 run. The offensive outburst gave JCU a 35-18 lead, its largest of the opening period.

The second half was more of the same success as the Blue Streaks held their double digit lead for the first 13 minutes of the closing period. However, Otterbein would not fall easily as its two-three defensive zone and 53% (17 for 32) second half shooting percentage put pressure on the John Carroll defense.

Despite a losing record, the Cardinals have been known to put up improved shooting percentages in the second half including 54% (vs Hiram) and 53% (vs Heidelberg).

The Blue Streaks would fend off the late Cardinal run thanks to the offensive rebounding efforts of Beth Switzler (10 offensive rebounds) and the superb scoring performance by Katlyn Spahar.

Coming off a 27 point outing against Ohio Northern, Spahar finished with 29 points along with six rebounds and a block. Switzler also marked her fourth consecutive double-double with 20 points and 14 rebounds.

Additionally, Emily Taylor was distributing the ball all evening as she finished with eight assists, setting a new career-high for the senior guard.

John Carroll previous two attempts to improve to 18-2 ended with a 74-68 loss to Muskingum during the 1992-93 season and a 78-71 loss to Baldwin Wallace last year.

John Carroll will look to remain tied atop the OAC standings when it travels to Bexley, Ohio to take on the Capital Crusaders this Saturday at 3 p.m. inside the Capital Center Performance Arena.