John Carroll has followed every win with a loss, and every loss with a win thus far in 2018-19. The pattern held true again, as tonight the pendulum swung back to victory for the Blue Streaks, topping the visiting Purple Raiders of Mount Union, 61-58, at the DeCarlo Varsity Center.

The atmosphere was electrifying Wednesday night in University Heights, as JCU hosted an undefeated Mount Union team open up its Ohio Athletic Conference home schedule. What started as a point-for-point game would end as such, as the lead for both teams never exceeded nine points.

After the teams traded early baskets and foul shots, John Carroll would eventually go on a seven point run, making the score 12-5, preventing the Purple Raider's from scoring for over three minutes in the first quarter. At the end of the first, John Carroll would still hold an 18-16 advantage.

Both teams would continue to score back and forth. Mount Union would see the lead again briefly with 2:51 left in the half as Jaime Sanborn would lay one in, making the score 28-27 in favor of the Purple Raiders. Sophomore Nicole Heffington drained one of her own and drew the foul as well, bringing the lead back into Blue Streak side at 30-28. True to the nature of play in the opening half, the score was tied 32-32 as the teams headed for the break.
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The Blue Streaks came out strong in the second half, immediately going on a five-point run and holding the Purple Raiders scoreless for another three minutes. Eventually, the Blue and Gold would secure a 50-41 lead to end the third quarter, the largest lead for either team in the entire game.

With their undefeated season being threatened, Mount Union steadily chipped away at the JCU lead, scoring the first five points of the fourth quarter while holding John Carroll scoreless for the first two and a half minutes. This streak would be shattered by the Blue Streaks' Sara Spicer, who drained a free throw and jumper for the Blue and Gold, pushing the advantage back up to eight at 53-45.

The JCU surge was short lived, as Mount Union scored 13 of the next 15 points of the game to move out in front, 58-55, with 1:50 left in regulation time. Rachel Tinkey's jumper that gave the visitors their largest lead of the game would be the last time the Purple Raiders would score.

John Carroll made big plays down the stretch. First, it was a layup by Chelbi Graham that cut the deficit to a single point with just under 90 seconds to play. JCU then hit four crucial free throws -- two each from Dani Carlson and Abby Adler -- while forcing three Mount Union misses in the final minute. The last gasp effort by Hannah Schaefer was a three ball that drew iron but then bounced over the backboard with one tick left.

Heffington led the Blue Streaks in scoring with 22 points, and pulled down eight rebounds. Adler contributed 10 points and seven rebounds. JCU forced 23 Mount Union turnovers in handing the Purple Raiders their first loss.

Tinkey was the lone Purple Raiders player in double figures with 15 points.

With the win, John Carroll moves to 4-3 overall and 1-1 in the OAC.  Mount Union falls to 6-1 overall and 1-1 in league play.

The Blue Streaks are set to take on the Fighting Muskies of Muskingum University this Saturday, December 8, in New Concord, OH at 3:00 P.M.