Westminster (PA) WES 7-5,5-3 PAC

John Carroll JCU 7-4,2-2 OAC

Westminster (PA) WES

7-5,5-3 PAC

Final

Dec. 30, 2023

John Carroll JCU

7-4,2-2 OAC

Score By Periods
Team	1	2	3	4	F
Westminster (PA) WES	10	13	20	9	52
John Carroll JCU	12	15	27	18	72

Summary
Box Score

Sean Finucane

Maddie Pietrowski poured in a career-best 19 points for JCU.

Game Recap: Women's Basketball | 12/30/2023 3:54:00 PM | Joe Ginley '16, SID

Women's Basketball Concludes 2023 with Home Victory in Non-Conference Finale

UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS – Taking the court for the first time in two weeks, John Carroll Women's Basketball experienced some first-half hiccups but got the job done.

The Blue Streaks tallied a third straight win on Saturday afternoon, defeating Westminster College in the return from the holiday break, 72-52.

With the win in the non-conference finale, the Blue Streaks enter the new year and a 14-game conference stretch with a 7-4 mark.

"We focused on doing the little things, especially playing defense and running on them, that's our game," said Maddie Pietrowski, who had a career day. "Keeping our energy up and hitting shots [is important] and we did that in the second half."

The Blue Streaks managed to get on the board early with a Pietrowski jumper and two Ava Ryncarz free throws in the first minute. But the offenses stalled from there. Pietrowski and Kaylie McKenney tabbed buckets down the stretch, but the defense was the story of a 12-10 first quarter for JCU.

The offense picked up a bit in the second quarter. Pietrowski potted a shot and Katie Zatta hit a 3-ball in the first minute of the period. Thanks to stout defense, JCU stretched the lead gradually to double digits with 2:46 left in the stanza, with Bella Carcioppolo hitting a triple to do it. But the Titans tallied 7 unanswered points in the final couple minutes, heating up heading into halftime down 27-23.

Mixing up shot selections helped JCU generate more offense in the third quarter. John Carroll found more openings in the paint, aided by excellent mid-range jumpers. Ryncarz heated up and found her footing, including a triple at the 4:30 mark to stretch the advantage to 44-31. Pietrowski continued her excellent offensive day, ensuring the Blue Streaks led comfortably entering the fourth quarter, 54-43.

The game was never much in doubt in the final quarter. Mid-range jumpers helped the JCU cause, and the team's bench got involved, too, including a pretty shot by Quinn Benchley. The Blue Streaks set the final margin at 20 points. Director of Athletics Brian Polian '97 served as the team's guest coach today and proved to be a good luck charm for JCU.

Pietrowski topped the team with 19 points, a new career best for the Walsh Jesuit grad. She also added a smooth 6 assists and 4 steals.

"It's about knowing where people excel and what kind of shots they look for," said Pietrowski. "I try to see how the play develops and set up shots that my teammates want to shoot."

Ava Ryncarz enjoyed a nice day with 18 points and 8 rebounds. Kaylie McKenney registered her second double-double of the year, and second in three games, with 15 points and 12 rebounds.

Following a slow start shooting the ball, JCU found a groove in the second half, shooting 11-for-16 in the third and 8-for-14 in the fourth. Meanwhile, Westminster sank just 31.7% of its shots for the game, including only 1-of-8 from deep. JCU tabbed 9 steals and 19 points off turnovers.

"Stringing all four quarters is key, we have some trouble getting all four quarters together," Pietrowski said of the team's top goal in 2024. "Playing strong on both offense and defense, and playing a full game together. And having fun with it along the way."

John Carroll will look to get started on those new year's resolutions on Wednesday, heading to Tiffin to confront an Ohio Athletic Conference foe, the Heidelberg Student Princes.

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