Two teams located less than six miles away from each other finally got back on the same hardwood for the first time in eight years, and local fans were not left disappointed.

Case Western Reserve gave John Carroll all they could handle for the first five minutes of the Blue Streaks' home opener. Once John Carroll grabbed the lead, however, it would not let go.
 
A 23-10 run towards the end of the first half put JCU in the driver's seat for what became an 82-75 win over the Spartans. The Blue Streaks have now started out 3-0 for three consecutive seasons. 

Just 4:18 into the game the Spartans started out hot with a 20-9 lead, their largest of the game. Case Western hit their first six three-pointers, Antonio Ionadi dropped two threes and Monty Khela swished the final three triples — they each had 18 points. 

From then on, the Blue and Gold chipped away.

Led by 12 points from Jimmy Berger, JCU fought back to take 32-30 lead and they never looked back. 

"The turn around game in the pre-game preparation. We had a good idea that they were capable of doing that," assistant coach Frank O'Brien said after the game. "We told our guys going in that this could happen. We just had to hang in there and stick to our gameplan."

Jimmy Berger recorded his first double-double of the season with 17 points and a game-high 11 rebounds. 

"He is a tremendous competitor," O'Brien said. "Everything he does is to win the game and help us win the game. He is one of the leaders." 

The Blue Streaks almost let go of the lead a few times as Case Western had the Blue Streaks valuing every possession late in the second half.

With 8:24 remaining in the second stanza, CWRU cut the lead down to one possession (65-62). 

"We knew they had a big run left in them. This is a big game not only for us, but for them," O'Brien said. "It's the battle of Cleveland. They were fired up to play us. We hung in tough. We are really proud of them."

Ryan Berger and his free throw shooting was the x-factor down the stretch. He scored 10 of the team's last 17 points in the final eight minutes — eight of those points were free throws.

"He had some big free throws down the stretch. He really did," said O'Brien. 

Ryan Berger had a game-high 21 points and has now scored 20 points or more in three games this season. He was also one of three Blue Streaks to record two blocks.

"He is a tremendous basketball player," said O'Brien. "He's picking up where he left off last season. He worked hard in the off-season and its showing."

He shot 58.3% from the field and had the highest usage percentage on the team. 

"I have been in the gym more often. I have learned from great leaders such as Matt Csuhran. I have the confidence in my teammates to take it to the hole and shoot it whenever I want. 

"I am just trying to take good shots and get to the rim. That is what I did tonight and it worked out." 

The Blue Streaks had the advantage in rebounding with 44 boards over Case Western's 35 boards. Luke Hippler six of those rebounds and also added a pair of blocks. 

JCU also dominated in the paint with a 42-22 advantage in that category.

John Carroll has a week off before they travel to Kalamazoo for the Kalamazoo Tournament the weekend of Thanksgiving.