Box Score The Blue Streaks have often been on the plus side when it comes to second half scoring margin.

For the third time all season, the tables got turned as JCU allowed a season-high 62 points over the final 20 minutes in a 112-103 defeat at the hands of Muskingum Saturday in New Concord, Ohio.

The Blue Streaks were lead by Antonio Vuyancih, who finished with 20 points and four rebounds.

But it was an old nemesis who impacted the outcome from the other side, as Marcus Dempsey -- ranked third in the country in points per game at 29.5 points per game -- finished with 39 points to pace the Muskies. JCU had held Dempsey to just ten points in a 115-74 victory earlier this season.

The Blue Streaks got out to a fast start in the first half. Jimmy Berger scored nine quick points early. and Matt Csuhran had an efficient scoring half by pouring in 10 points to help JCU build a 41-31 lead with 6:19 left in the half.

A late first half run by the host team turned out to be a turning point. The Muskies finished on a 19-9 run to tie the score up at 50 at the break.

The game would go back and forth for the entire second half. JCU held a 79-77 lead with just under ten minutes remaining, but a 12-0 run by Muskingum was the backbreaker. Once Muskingum built a 89-79 lead, they would not let Carroll get back into the game. JCU's closest push came at the 5:30 mark when Antonio Vuyancih and Csuhran made back to back triples to get JCU within four.

Muskingum would push the lead back up to 10 with the help of a Dempsey dunk and three pointer and would not look back from there.

Dempsey lead Muskingum with a double-double of 39 points and 12 rebounds. He was helped with a huge scoring output by Devon Peart, who finished with 34 points and five rebounds.

John Carroll (15-4, 9-3 OAC) still holds a share of first place despite the loss. Marietta's win over Baldwin Wallace coupled with JCU's loss leaves the two rivals atop the league standings at 9-3. Baldwin Wallace and Ohio Northern are tied for third at 8-4.

Muskingum improves to 8-11 and 6-6 in the OAC, tied with Mount Union for fifth place.

Up next for John Carroll is a trip to Westerville to visit Otterbein (1-18, 1-11 OAC) next Wednesday, January 31 at 7 pm. The Cardinals picked up their first win of the season today by defeating Heidelberg, 78-69.