In a game dedicated to Breast Cancer Awareness, the John Carroll University women's basketball team battled back from an early deficit to earn an impressive 65-52 win over Heidelberg University on Wednesday evening at the Tony DeCarlo Varsity Center.

The Blue Streaks advance to an 11-7 record overall, which includes a 6-5 slate in the OAC on the season -- good for sole possession of fifth place. JCU has now won five of its last six contests.

The Student Princes drop to 7-11 overall, and 5-6 in the OAC.
 
John Carroll exacted a bit of revenge for a 79-62 loss earlier in the season at Heidelberg with an impressive defensive effortthat held the visitors to under 30 percent from the field in the second stanza.
 

Both teams came out strong at the commencement of the game. Junior guard Mariah Pearson led the charge for Heidelberg, accumulating seven of the Student Princes first 10 points. Heidelberg kept on the early pressure to earn a one-point lead, 15-14, at the end of the first quarter.

Spahar and the Blue Streaks then answered by outscoring Heidelberg, 12-11, in the second quarter. Spahar and Pearson each had 10 points in the first half as the teams took a tie ball game into the intermission, 26-26.
 
The second half was a complete turn of events, painted all blue and gold. The Blue Streaks came out of the locker room on fire, a fire that was ignited by Spahar's 3-pointer less than ten seconds into the second half. Strong defense by Shmoo Pryor forced two quick turnovers on Heidelberg, as the Blue Streaks jumped out on a 13-4 run over the opening five minutes and were never threatened again.

John Carroll outscored Heidelberg, 22-11, in the pivotal third period.
 
Freshman Kelsey Poplawski gave the Blue Streaks 11 solid minutes off of the bench, scoring nine minutes in that span. Also, for the first time this season, JCU was perfect from the foul line, going 14-of-14 from the charity stripe.

Junior Katlyn Spahar nearly matched her season average with 16 points and eight rebounds, while sophomores Sarah Cairnie and Shmoo Pryor each added to the cause with 12 points apiece. 

Sophomore forward Shiloh Murphy led the offensive charge for Heidelberg, accumulating a team-high 13 points. Pearson also contributed to the cause for Heidelberg, shooting 50 percent from the floor for 12 total points.
 
Up next, the Blue Streaks will take the show on the road, as they travel to Ada, Ohio this Saturday to take on conference-leading Ohio Northern University.