Another late game surge by an opponent prevented John Carroll from snaring a victory.

This time it was a 15-7 run over the final five minutes that enabled St. Mary's College of Indiana to knock off the Blue Streaks, 63-59, on the opening day of the DePauw University Amy Hasbrook Memorial Classic at Neal Fieldhouse in Greencastle, Indiana. The loss extends a six-game losing streak scattered across a winless December, as one game remains for the calendar year.

Few players have the power to take over a game. Giavanna Paradiso was an exception for St. Mary's.

Paradiso dominated in all facets of the game, exploding for 28 points and 14 rebounds, including her team's final five points on a game-changing layup and three critical free throws. The freshman sensation shot 10-of-13 from the floor, and converted 7-of-8 shots from the charity stripe to fuel Saint Mary's (3-8) to its third victory of the campaign.

Nicole Heffington stuffed the stat sheet for John Carroll (2-8) with 22 points, seven rebounds, three assists and three steals, while Bri Pittenger added a season-high 10 points off the bench. JCU registered a game-high 40% field goal percentage, but fell victim to the opposition's 42.9% (6-of-14) clip from beyond the arc, with the most of the damage taking place in the second half.

Heffington broke the scoring barrier with a short-range jump shot in the paint, but Paradiso notched her team's first seven points to give the Belles a five-point cushion in the early stages of the contest. Freshman Celina Vuyancih used the backboard to her advantage and responded with a 4-0 run of her own, eventually propelling JCU to a 12-3 rally to take a 14-10 lead at the culmination of the first quarter.

The Blue and Gold suffered a three-minute, 45-second scoring drought to start the second quarter before Heffington splashed a top-of-the-key three-pointer. A rapid exchange of baskets ensued until Heffington, Pittenger and Abby Adler scored three consecutive field goals to claim a 27-22 advantage heading into the intermission.

Adler had eight points and five rebounds off the bench for JCU in the game.

Full-court pressure to open the second half ramped up the intensity on both ends of the floor, as Paradiso added to her rising totals with four points, two rebounds and a block in the first three minutes. Once more, JCU separated itself courtesy of Heffington, as she popped off a pick to drain a three-pointer from the corner, expanding the margin to six points. The second unit kept the opposition in check, limiting them to eight points in the last five minutes, 15 seconds of the period to hold a 42-38 lead.

Saint Mary's stormed back to erase a deficit as large as eight points and tie the game in the fourth, but the Blue Streaks regained control on a pair of high-percentage shots in the post from Adler and Heffington.

Paradiso would not let the non-conference clash slip away.

Facing a one-point deficit, Chelbi Graham drove to the hoop and drew a foul with 22 seconds remaining in regulation. She knocked down one of two free throws to even the tally before Paradiso found a crease in the defense for a go-ahead layup with nine seconds to play.

JCU had an opportunity to level the score in the closing seconds, but stingy defense from the opposition caused an empty possession from the Blue Streaks. JCU was forced to foul and Paradiso calmly sank two free throws with two ticks left to ice the game.

A quick turnaround is in store for the Blue Streaks, as they take on the DePauw University Tigers (11-1) on Saturday at 4 p.m. from Neal Fieldhouse.