The John Carroll University men's basketball team was on the short end of another classic matchup with Marietta College as the Blue Streaks fell to the No. 8 Pioneers, 104-98, in Marietta, Ohio on Saturday afternoon. JCU drops its second-straight contest against an Ohio Athletic Conference opponent after coming off a series of four games in seven days.
"There are a lot of positives to take away from the game," head coach Pete Moran said. "But Jason Ellis had a career-night."
Marietta's Jason Ellis finished the game with 51 points to help the Pioneers seal the victory.
"At the end of the day, I am proud of our guys' effort," Moran said. "Playing in a hostile environment, our seniors stepped up and showed their leadership. Not to give up down 15. They fought back."
Marietta had a 64-49 lead with 15 minutes left and junior forwards Luke Hippler and Corbin Anthony each accumulated four fouls, while fellow junior forward Emil Hess was sidelined for the remainder of the game.
The Blue Streaks turned to sophomore Emmett Chambers, who helped spark John Carroll to a 21-5 point run for a 70-69 lead with 10:29 left to play. He scored six of his career-high 13 points during that run.
Senior guard Ryan Berger also added 13 points during the stretch, as both teams then traded points. But Ellis hit a three pointer that gave Marietta a 84-82 lead with 5:13 remaining, and the Pioneers held onto the lead the rest of the way.
The Blue Streaks led by as many as six in the first half but Marietta went on what would be a crucial eight-point run late which gave them the 50-42 lead into the break.
The Pioneers out rebounded the Blue and Gold, 46-30, with Marietta coming into the game ranked second in Division III in rebounds per game.
Chambers and senior guard Jimmy Berger each had six rebounds for JCU. Chambers' six rebounds were a career high.
The Blue Streaks had a slight advantage with a 52.1 field goal percentage over Marietta's 51.9%, but the Pioneers posted 33 points off free throws.
R. Berger finished the game with a career-high 33 points, while his brother contributed a season-high 19 points and six assists. Senior guard Sean Flannery contributed 17 points and also registered six assists.
John Carroll's overall record falls to 5-2 and their OAC record drops to 0-2. The Blue and Gold's next match is on Dec. 14 against Muskingum in New Concord, Ohio at 2 p.m.
