Nothing comes easy in the Ohio Athletic Conference, as the John Carroll University women's basketball team saw today.

The Blue Streaks gritted out a 65-62 victory against a tough Muskingum University squad, fending off several comeback attempts by the visitors.

The Blue and Gold march to 7-6 overall, 2-4 in OAC play, thanks to the team's 10th straight win over the Fighting Muskies.

The team hosted past and present Blue Streaks during a special Alumnae Day at the Tony DeCarlo Varsity Center, honoring the late Kathy Frickman McPhillips, class of 1996, as the guest coach. "We were proud to have her jersey on the bench," head coach Kelly Morrone said. "No one sat in that seat the entire game, I made sure of that."

The ceremonies held a special significance to the Blue Streaks, who were honored to have so many great alumni in attendance.

"The timing couldn't have been better," Morrone said. "We're so young, so young. It can feel overwhelming at times to be on a long Christmas break. This is a team that is trying to find and grow into its identity. Just to have them hear those women talk about the lasting relationships they have after being a part of this is important."

The Blue Streaks used the positive energy early on, rolling to a 9-0 lead in the first two and a half minutes. The Fighting Muskies quickly fought back, answering with an 8-0 run.

Bri Pittenger extended the lead with authority in the final minute, hitting a jumper and then a deep three-pointer at the buzzer. Thanks to the freshman's heroics, JCU held a 19-12 lead heading into the second quarter. Pittenger finished the game with a career-best 12 points.

The teams traded shots in the second quarter, as Muskingum remained within reach. Pryor then sank a couple of free throws, extending the lead to 36-25 with 1:02 left. The Fighting Muskies then struck back with four straight points, narrowing the deficit to 36-29 heading into the break.

The third quarter started with quick action on both ends. JCU's Nicole McManamon and Olivia Besancon traded threes to begin the period.

The Blue and Gold then used a Spahar jumper and three free throws to elevate the advantage to 49-39 with just over a minute left in the quarter. Not to be deterred, Muskingum returned the favor with a 7-point run in the final minute of the period, as Besancon buried a jumper from the key to narrow the deficit to 49-46 heading into the fourth.

Besancon tied the contest at 55 with a deep 3-pointer with 7:54 remaining in the fourth. Just two minutes later, the Fighting Muskies took their first lead of the day. Taylor hit a free throw, granting the visitors a 56-55 lead.

Faced with a narrow deficit, the Blue Streaks did not panic. Battaglia buried a pair of shots and Pryor hit a free throw to grab the lead back. The teams traded buckets over the next few minutes, as JCU held a narrow 63-60 lead with just over 90 seconds remaining.

Following a Muskingum timeout, Besancon sank a layup, bringing the Fighting Muskies within one with 52 seconds left. The teams traded turnovers and missed shots until Spahar hit two critical free throws with five seconds left. Trailing by three, Muskingum received one last shot, but missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer, allowing JCU to hang on for the 65-62 win.

Spahar led JCU with 14 points, leading the way in a big win for the Blue Streaks.

"Our on-court communication with each other took a huge leap forward," Morrone said. "They were focused on their next priority and leaders stepped up and took on that role."

The Blue Streaks will have a chance to build on this win Wednesday, as JCU will host the Otterbein Cardinals at the Tony DeCarlo Varsity Center at 7:30 p.m.