Some wins are bigger than others, based on timing, opponent, or margin of victory. Perspective can also alter the significance when viewed from a  distance.

Friday night's triumph by John Carroll over the host Muskingum University Fighting Muskies by a final score of 103-88 may loom large in the legend of the 2018-19 season. Only time will tell.

But at least for the present state of affairs, it was a victory of necessity.

JCU had just dropped an emotional 89-85 overtime decision to crosstown rival Baldwin Wallace on Wednesday night, and finished the first half of the Ohio Athletic Conference schedule with a 2-7 record and tied for eighth place.

The Blue Streaks hoped to start the second half on the right foot.

John Carroll got off to a roaring start offensively as it took a commanding 12-2 lead. This surge would not sustain, however, as the Muskies battled back. The crowd in New Concord was treated to a back-and-forth contest with Muskingum carrying a 39-38 lead into the break.

The first half was another dominant start for sophomore Luke Hippler, as he tallied nine points and ten rebounds over the first 20 minutes. Junior Jimmy Berger also added nine points and three assists for the Blue Streaks in the first half.

Neither team could get much separation in the second half. JCU would lead by as many as seven points early on, but when Muskingum's Devon Peart made a lay-up at the 7:53 mark, John Carroll's lead would be just a single point at 67-66.

At this juncture, a missing piece was found.

Ryan Berger, a key cog in the Blue Streaks offense for the past two seasons who had missed all but nine minutes of the first 13 games of the season, had his breakout moment. 

In his fourth game back from injury, the junior ignited the game's decisive run. After back-to-back lay-ups by Hippler and Jimmy Berger, Ryan Berger would hit three-point baskets in each of his next three trips down the floor. When the smoke had cleared, John Carroll had its first double-digit lead of the night at 80-70, forcing a Muskingum timeout at the 5:3 mark.

That would supply the cushion as the deficit never dropped back to single digits. In fact, John Carroll led by as many as 18 points before settling upon the 15-point final margin.

Three Blue Streaks finished scoring at least 22 points. Ryan Berger led the team with career high 31 points in an offensive eruption draining 5 three pointers. His twin brother Jimmy Berger also had a day, scoring 25 points with seven rebounds and seven assists. The hot streak continues for sophomore forward Luke Hippler who had his 2nd career double-double with a career high 22 points and 12 rebounds.

John Carroll (7-10, 3-7 OAC) topped 100 points for the second time this season.

Muskingum (7-10, 3-7 OAC) was led by Trey Singleton with 23 points and a team-high three three-pointers made. Peart contributed 20 points of his own.

John Carroll will next compete against the University of Mount Union on Wednesday, January 23rd in University Heights, OH. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.