Wheaton (IL) WHEIL 2-9,1-2 CCIW

John Carroll JCU 9-1,4-0 OAC

Wheaton (IL) WHEIL

2-9,1-2 CCIW

Final

Dec. 29, 2023

John Carroll JCU

9-1,4-0 OAC

Score By Periods
Team	1	2	F
Wheaton (IL) WHEIL	49	38	87
John Carroll JCU	49	47	96

Summary
Box Score

Luke Chicone Scores 19 Points In Win vs Wheaton College (Image Credit: Matt Dilyard, The College of Wooster)

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | 12/29/2023 9:39:00 PM | Deuce Zak, Senior Staff Writer

Blue Streaks Get Back In Win Column Defeating Wheaton College In Wooster Kiwanis Classic

Wooster, OH- After 10 days away from the floor for a holiday break, the Blue Streaks unleashed their high flying offense and got a big win, getting back in the plus column against the Wheaton Thunder, triumphing 96-87.

The first half was a shootout on both sides. The Thunder got out to an early 9-2 lead, forcing a mass substitution for the Ohioans, but the bench responded with three straight triples to take an 11-9 lead. Wheaton quickly responded in kind, and such was the theme of the entire half. The Thunder were white hot from all over the floor, shooting 62% from the field and from deep in the opening 20 minutes.

The Blue Streaks consistently found themselves in multi-possession holes because of Wheaton's shooting, but managed to crawl back each time, most notably from a 19-11 deficit early. While both teams put on an offensive clinic, the Blue Streaks had some flashes of solid play.

David Gentry had an emphatic block that led to points for the "home" squad. Both teams went back and forth throughout the half, leading to a total of 98 first half points, with a blistering 49-49 score entering the break.

The second half continued with the hot offensive play. The Thunder opened the scoring in a big way, quickly jumping out to the largest lead by either team at 65-54, putting the Blue and Gold in a difficult hole. David Gentry hit his second career three pointer to keep the Blue Streaks within striking distance, and after going down 11, the top-ranked team in the nation awakened.

The starting line found their groove and quickly began to take over the game. Luke Chicone and Luke Frazier had an explosion in the second, making timely jumpers, including a couple threes from Chicone, to claw all the way back and go on a 15-3 run, taking the lead at 69-67. Wheaton would begin to find an offensive rhythm again, but the Blue Streaks found their stride and outscored the Illinois natives 42-22.

Luke Frazier came alive late in the second, getting whatever he wanted in the mid-range, hitting several of his trademark floaters to keep the game out of reach. The Blue and Gold led by as much as 12 at 89-77, and walked out with a 96-87 win, securing a trip to the championship of the E.M. "Mose" Hole/Wooster Kiwanis Classic.

The Luke's lead the charge in the stat sheet for JCU. Frazier and Chicone combined for 38 points, 19 apiece, with Frazier grabbing 8 rebounds and Chicone dishing out four assists. Chase Toppin and Henry Raynor also hit double figures, with Raynor securing yet another double-double with 10 points and 10 boards. The difference in the game for the Blue Streaks were second chances and free throw opportunities. JCU out rebounded Wheaton 42-32 with 17 offensive boards, and the Blue and Gold took 27 free throws, making 21.

The Blue Streaks will be at it again tomorrow, facing off against either Edgewood or Wooster in another championship game.

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