Offensively, the John Carroll Blue Streaks were sound.

On the defensive end, it was another story.

The Blue Streaks found difficulty in slowing down let alone stopping the No. 10 ranked Marietta Pioneers. On Saturday in Marietta, the host squad shot 36-65 (55.4%) from the field and 18-35 (51.4%) from three-point range as the Blue Streaks fell by a 108-92 count.

"Marietta couldn't miss a shot," said John Carroll head conch Pete Moran. "They shot the ball extremely well and did a great job rebounding. When you shoot the ball that well and you rebound, you are going to win the basketball game."
 
The Blue Streaks drop to 8-11 overall on the season and 4-8 in the OAC while Marietta remains in first place with a 17-2 overall record and a 11-1 league ledger.

The Blue and Gold started off slow and the Pioneers started out fast. Out of the gates, Marietta went on a 10-0 run putting the Blue and Gold down 15-5 just four minutes into the game. JCU responded quick, going on an 8-0 run to climb back into the tick of the battle.

As the midway point of the first half approached, the Blue and Gold began to get hot. JCU took the 26-25 advantage, with Ryan Berger tallying seven points.

To close out the remaining five minutes before the break, Marietta dominated John Carroll. The Pioneers outscored the Blue Streaks 19-6, up until there was 29 seconds remaining in the first half.

Then, JCU caught a massive break as junior Connor Fitzgerald drained a three-pointer at the buzzer. There was a foul called on the play, and a technical assessed to Marietta's Keith Richardson. That put junior Sean Flannery at the line and the Blue Streaks walked into the locker room only down nine points, 53-44.

Despite being down double-digits at the half in the hostile Ban Johnson Arena, the Blue Streaks came out strong. Within the first five minutes, JCU cut Marietta's lead down to six points at 66-60.

Moments later, the Blue and Gold caught fire again. John Carroll went on a 10-1 run positioning themselves within a single point of the lead (73-72) forcing a Marietta time out.

The margin was still six points at 87-81 with five minutes to play when Marietta buried consecutive three-point field goals by Anthony Wallace and Jason Ellis. The deficit never dropped into single digits the remainder of the way.

John Carroll's 92 points scored were their most points in a loss all season, but they allowed the second most points all year.

"Our guys' effort was there, there is no question about it," said Moran. "For us to even be within striking distance, that's a testament to our guys and the energy they brought. They fought and clawed. That's a really good basketball team."

Marietta out rebounded the Blue Streaks, 42-22, and outscored JCU off the bench 39-17.

Jimmy Berger led all scorers with 22 points and added six assists. Ryan Berger scored 18 and had a game-high four steals. Luke Hippler led JCU with five rebounds and notched 12 points.

The Blue and Gold shot 16-33 (48.5%) from three-point, including five made three's from Flannery, who totaled 17 points and added four assists and two steals.

"We needed more open looks," said Ryan Berger. "We could have pressured them a little more. We were in their face but they were knocking down their shots and we were not. We played hard and fought until the end — that's all we can ask for."

Kyle Dixon, one of five Marietta players in double figures, led the team in scoring (20) and rebounding (9).

JCU's next matchup will come against the Heidelberg Student Princes in Tiffin, Ohio, on Wednesday, January 30. Tip-off is at 7:00 p.m.