In the final road matchup of the regular season, the John Carroll University men's basketball team defeated the Cardinals of Otterbein University, 84-75, snapping a three-game dry spell away from home.

With the win, the Blue Streaks split the regular-season series with the Cardinals. Otterbein previously defeated John Carroll in University Heights, 81-79.
 
Strong defense kept the score close in the first half, with neither team leading by no more than four points. By the 2:56 mark, the Blue Streaks took their largest lead of the half at 26-22. However, the Cardinals would tally eight of the final 12 points of the half to knot the score at 30-30 by the break.
 
Jimmy Berger finished the half in double digits for scoring. The junior led the John Carroll offense with 13 points, shooting 5-6 from the field, while his brother, Ryan Berger, chipped in six.

The Blue Streaks picked up the momentum in the second half, and the result was 54-point outburst. John Carroll would push its lead into double figures (10) on five different occasions, but could not quite shake the host squad. In the final minute of play, Otterbein cut the JCU lead to five points, but clutch free throws by Sean Flannery, Connor Fitzgerald and Ryan Berger sealed the victory for the Blue and Gold.

Four Blue Streaks finished the game in the double digits. Jimmy Berger tallied a team-high 24 points, while Flannery and Ryan Berger followed with 16 and 13, respectively. Luke Hippler added 11 points in addition to all four John Carroll blocks.  

JCU improved to 11-13 with the victory overall and 7-10 in OAC play, which is now good for sole possession of sixth place.  Otterbein dropped to 6-18 overall and 3-14 in league play (ninth place)

John Carroll will next host the Fightin' Quakers of Wilmington College (17-6, 13-4 OAC) on Saturday, February 16 in their final game of the regular season. The Quakers, currently in a three-way tie for second in the league standings, knocked off first place Capital this evening at home.

Tip-off for the regular season finale is scheduled for 2:00p.m.