John Carroll JCU 17-2,11-1 OAC

Capital CAP 10-9,6-6 OAC

John Carroll JCU

17-2,11-1 OAC

Final

Jan. 27, 2023

Capital CAP

10-9,6-6 OAC

Score By Periods
Team	1	2	F
John Carroll JCU	24	49	73
Capital CAP	25	40	65

Summary
Box Score

Ben Peskar

Luke Chicone helped JCU ice the game with an excellent performance late.

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | 1/27/2023 10:22:00 PM | Deuce Zak, Staff Writer

Men's Basketball Corral Capital Late in Friday Night Road Victory

BEXLEY, Ohio – Friday night college basketball games aren't typical in the Ohio Athletic Conference, but for longtime Capital head coach Damon Goodwin, it allows him to watch his son, who plays for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Thus, the John Carroll Men's Basketball team traveled to Bexley on Friday afternoon, looking to extend their winning streak to nine and retain hold on conference lead in the OAC.

Despite a slow start on both ends, a strong second-half performance led JCU to their 11th Ohio Athletic Conference win over Capital, 73-65.

It was a good experience for the Blue Streaks, as John Carroll had to fight hard against a well-coached Capital team, good preparation for the OAC Tournament when you need to win twice in three days to secure a title.

Scoring was few and far between in the first half for both teams, as it took two minutes for any kind of points to be scored, coming by way of Luka Eller hitting two free throws.

It took 90 seconds for more points to be scored, coming through two Capital free throws. The first made field goal did not occur until 14:34. From there, the Comets scored five straight, but the Blue Streaks countered with a short run of their own, keeping the game close at 7-6.

The low-scoring affair would continue for the entirety of the first half, as both teams had to work for every point they got. Strong scoring from Luke Frazier kept the visitors close, and both teams went back and forth for the last 10 minutes of the half, Capital keeping a one point lead at 25-24 at the horn.

The John Carroll locker room knew they had more fight in them after the first, and after the coaches challenged them, the players did what they've done best all season. Respond. JCU put up a 49-point second half and got the job done.

The guards for the Blue Streaks shined in the second. Luke Chicone, Jerry Higgins III, and Chase Toppin all played outstanding halves, scoring when a bucket was needed, making huge plays on defense, and generating energy the Blue Streaks desperately needed. Several big threes at the beginning of the half got the visiting bench going, and it was a dog fight for all 20 minutes.

The Comets never backed down from the challenge the #8 Clevelanders presented, and kept themselves within one or two points for most of the final frame.

Luke Chicone got whatever he wanted on both ends, scoring 24 points on 10-of-18 shooting, as well as turning up the intensity on defense. He poured in 13 of the team's 15 final points.

The Blue & Gold's persistence grated on the home squad, and eventually, with timely defense by Chase Toppin and Jerry Higgins III, the Blue Streaks jumped out to a 68-61 lead with a minute and a half remaining.

Despite a Capital score on the ensuing possession, Luke Chicone walked the ball down the floor and knifed through the defense, making a huge layup and in the process drew a flop call on Capital. A technical foul was also assessed to the Comets, and Chicone sunk 3 free throws, once again icing a team at the line, leading to the solid 8-point road win for the Streaks, 73-65.

"The Lukes" once again provided the bulk of the scoring for the Blue Streaks, as Chicone and Frazier combined for 39 of JCU's 73 points. Luka Eller and Henry Raynor also dominated in the paint once again, scoring a combined 17 points and grabbing 13 combined rebounds. Higgins and Toppin scored 8 and 7 points respectively, with Toppin adding a season-high 5 steals.

Heading into the weekend, the Blue Streaks will maintain first place in the OAC. In addition, wins over #7 ranked Wheaton and #3 ranked Mount Union put the Blue & Gold in great position to jump into the top 5 for the first time this season, entering the sphere of the country's best.

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