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John Carroll University Athletics

home of the Blue Streaks
Flannery file photo
PJ Flannery hit big shots for the Blue Streaks. (file photo)
87
Winner John Carroll JCU 4-1,1-0 OAC
84
Muskingum MUSK 2-3,0-1 OAC
Winner
John Carroll JCU
4-1,1-0 OAC
87
Final
84
Muskingum MUSK
2-3,0-1 OAC
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
John Carroll JCU 42 45 87
Muskingum MUSK 40 44 84

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Game Recap: Men's Basketball | | Deuce Zak, Staff Writer

Clutch Late Effort Pushes Men's Basketball Past Fighting Muskies

NEW CONCORD, Ohio -- On a pretty winter afternoon in New Concord, the John Carroll Men's Basketball team took the court to face the Muskingum Fighting Muskies in their first game of Ohio Athletic Conference play. In the week leading up to today's contest, coaches and upperclassmen alike were commenting on the difficulty that came with playing in the Anne C. Steele Center, and it certainly was no cake walk for the Blue Streaks. 

A defensive slug fest and offensive rollercoaster ended with the Blue Streaks on top, holding on for a 3-point win, by a final score of 87-84. 
    
The Fighting Muskies jumped on the Blue and Gold early in what was a muggy gymnasium. Muskingum quickly jumped out to a 20-10 lead on the Blue Streaks, taking advantage of a slow offensive start for the Blue and Gold and getting to the basket. JCU didn't let the half get away from them this week, as the Blue Streaks kept with it on both ends of the floor and played aggressively. Eric Hanna (16 points, 6 rebounds) and PJ Flannery (13 points, 7 rebounds) led the charge for the Blue Streaks in the first, hitting several threes and helping the Blue Streaks stay afloat. Hugh Brown (3 pts) and William Wallace (2 pts, 2-2 FTM) once again provided solid contributions on the defensive end, making Muskie guards uncomfortable. 

The Muskies lead for most of the first half, able to prevent any JCU runs, but PJ Flannery hit two 3-pointers on two straight possessions and knotted the game at 36 with 2:20 left in the first half. Two minutes later, David Gentry (6 points, 4 rebounds) hit two free throws and gave the Blue Streaks their first lead with 27 seconds left. Both teams missed subsequent shots, and JCU went to the locker room with a 2-point lead. 
    
In the second half, the Blue and Gold came alive. A rowdy Muskie crowd went quiet quickly in the second half as the Blue Streaks went on a 10-0 run, seemingly dominating every phase of the game as they jumped out to a 52-40 lead. A small contingent of Blue Streak fans and a lively bench had the energy turning the Blue Streaks' way quickly, forcing a Muskingum timeout with 17:19 left in the game. 

However, the Fighting Muskies weren't going to quit. Trailing by as much as 18, M.J. Smith and Alex Masinelli lead a resounding Muskingum comeback, scratching and clawing their way to a 72-72 tie in the later stages of the second. The Fighting Muskies continued to battle, taking the lead shortly thereafter and stretching it to 82-77 as time became the enemy of the Blue and Gold. 

Late in the contest, the stars shined even brighter, with Mason Trubisky (9 points, 6 rebounds), Chase Toppin (16 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists) and Jackson Sartain (20 points, 4-of-4 free throws) delivering when JCU needed it most. Trubisky had several strong moves around the rim, cutting into the lead, Sartain delivering two big jumpers to close the gap, and Chase Toppin making two consecutive layups to give the Blue Streaks the lead for good. The Muskies also made some clutch baskets, but in the end, they weren't enough to put the Blue Streaks away. 

Sartain nailed two high pressure free throws to put the Blue and Gold up 85-82, and William Wallace scored his only points of the night in the form of two more free throws with 4.5 seconds left, putting the game away and giving JCU the gritty 87-84 victory. 

Once again, the Blue and Gold brought a balanced attack to New Concord. Four players scored in double figures, Sartain leading all scores with 20, Toppin and Eric Hanna both having 16, and PJ Flannery scoring a season high 13. Mason Trubisky and David Gentry contributed 9 points and 6 points respectively, with Hugh Brown, William Wallace, and Jared Bublinec all contributing a bucket. The Blue and Gold outrebounded Muskingum 43-41, won the turnover battle 15-10, and had 15 assists on the afternoon. 

The Muskies also saw contributions from everywhere. Noah Begue led Muskingum with 15 points on 5-6 from 3. Alex Masinelli was all over the floor, adding 14 with 9 rebounds and 6 assists. M.J Smith and Carson Carter had 12 and 11, and a whole host of Muskies adding points. Muskingum shot 58.8% from 3 and 85.7% from the line, providing plenty of competition for JCU. 

Looking ahead, John Carroll enters a 3-game homestand heading into the end of semester holiday break, taking on No. 12 ranked Mount Union on Wednesday, December 8, and the Comets of Capital on December 10. 
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Players Mentioned

Hugh Brown

#23 Hugh Brown

G
5' 10"
Junior
Jared Bublinec

#21 Jared Bublinec

G
6' 4"
Sophomore
PJ Flannery

#32 PJ Flannery

F
6' 4"
Junior
Eric Hanna

#1 Eric Hanna

G
6' 1"
Sophomore
Jackson Sartain

#15 Jackson Sartain

G
6' 1"
Senior
Mason Trubisky

#5 Mason Trubisky

F
6' 5"
Sophomore
William Wallace

#3 William Wallace

G
6' 0"
Sophomore
David Gentry

#33 David Gentry

PF/C
6' 6"
First Year
Chase Toppin

#4 Chase Toppin

G
6' 1"
First Year

Players Mentioned

Hugh Brown

#23 Hugh Brown

5' 10"
Junior
G
Jared Bublinec

#21 Jared Bublinec

6' 4"
Sophomore
G
PJ Flannery

#32 PJ Flannery

6' 4"
Junior
F
Eric Hanna

#1 Eric Hanna

6' 1"
Sophomore
G
Jackson Sartain

#15 Jackson Sartain

6' 1"
Senior
G
Mason Trubisky

#5 Mason Trubisky

6' 5"
Sophomore
F
William Wallace

#3 William Wallace

6' 0"
Sophomore
G
David Gentry

#33 David Gentry

6' 6"
First Year
PF/C
Chase Toppin

#4 Chase Toppin

6' 1"
First Year
G

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