John Carroll JCU 15-2,9-1 OAC

Muskingum MUSK 1-16,1-9 OAC

John Carroll JCU

15-2,9-1 OAC

Final

Jan. 21, 2023

Muskingum MUSK

1-16,1-9 OAC

Score By Periods
Team	1	2	F
John Carroll JCU	51	45	96
Muskingum MUSK	37	30	67

Summary
Box Score

Ben Peskar

Chase Toppin poured in 16 points for the visitors.

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | 1/21/2023 7:21:00 PM | Deuce Zak, Staff Writer

Men's Basketball Dispatches Fighting Muskies on the Road

NEW CONCORD, Ohio -- On a brisk Saturday afternoon, the John Carroll Men's Basketball team traveled to the Steele Center for a road showdown with the Fightin' Muskies of Muskingum.

The matchup marked the beginning of the second half of the Ohio Athletic Conference regular season for both teams, as the Blue Streaks looked to continue piling up wins to keep pace in the conference race.

The Blue & Gold did just that, throttling Muskingum by a final score of 96-67.

In the first matchup, JCU wasted no time jumping out to a gigantic lead and sustaining it. That was not so this afternoon in the first half. For the opening 10 minutes, the 1-15 Muskies kept pace with the visitors, hitting deep threes and getting through a normally stout Blue Streak defense.

However, despite keeping pace, The home squad's only lead was 5-1 early in the first half. A 9-0 run by the Blue and Gold put them back in the lead and they would never relinquish it. Punctuating the JCU lead, Luke Frazier once again rose up for a monster jam over several Muskie players, which had the Blue Streak bench exploding. Muskingum would stay within striking distance for most of the first half, but great play from Luka Eller and Chase Toppin had JCU going into the locker room up 14 at the half, 51-37.

In the second half, the #9 D3hoops.com Blue Streaks started to flex their muscles. The guard duo of Chase Toppin and Luke Frazier shined in the second. Toppin showcased his lockdown defense on Muskingum leading scorer Noah Begue, while Luke Frazier showed off his incredible shot-making ability.

The Blue and Gold started the second half with a huge defensive stretch, generating stops and buckets throughout the first five minutes. In addition to the great defense, the Clevelanders got to the free throw line constantly, nailing 22-of-28 free throws on the night, second highest in a game this season. Everyone got involved in the second, with several players nearly scoring in double digits, with 4 players at 8 points.

In the end, a great second half effort from the starter and bench groups allowed the Blue and Gold to coast to a 96-67 win in New Concord.

The Blue Streaks had a very balanced approach on the stat sheet this afternoon. Luke Frazier has made himself known as JCU's best scorer in a big way during this 7-game winning streak, reaching double digits in points for the 11th straight game. His shot making can feel omnipotent, but tonight he had a slightly quieter evening, putting up 20 points.

Chase Toppin stepped up in a big way, scoring 16 for the Blue and Gold. Henry Raynor was the final Blue Streak in double figures, as he chipped in 11 points. A smattering of guys got to 8 points, but none more impactful than Luka Eller, who put up 8 points and 8 rebounds.

This win for the Blue Streaks was a significant one, as it kept them on course before what most will call the most important game of the season, as the Purple Raiders of Mount Union come to town on Wednesday.

The matchup could determine who will win the OAC regular season title, as the teams are tied at 9-1 atop the conference. In addition to the conference implications, a win on Wednesday could put the Blue and Gold in perfect position to fly into the top five and portend postseason implications.

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