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John Carroll University Athletics

home of the Blue Streaks
Luke Chicone vs. Berg
Heidelberg Sports Info
The Blue Streaks got a critical win over a strong Heidelberg team (photo courtesy of the awesome Berg SID squad)
91
Winner John Carroll JCU 18-2,12-1 OAC
82
Heidelberg HEID 13-7,8-5 OAC
Winner
John Carroll JCU
18-2,12-1 OAC
91
Final
82
Heidelberg HEID
13-7,8-5 OAC
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
John Carroll JCU 45 46 91
Heidelberg HEID 46 36 82

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

Men's Basketball's Key Runs Ensure Road Conquest of the Student Princes

TIFFIN, Ohio — Entering the month of February, the John Carroll Men's Basketball team had enjoyed a 9-game winning streak, in which they netted a huge win against the #3 ranked Mount Union Purple Raiders last week. The streak put the Blue Streaks in first place in the Ohio Athletic Conference, putting them in prime position to grab the regular season title in the OAC, and home court advantage in the conference tournament. 

But before any celebration, a 6-game gauntlet lay ahead with four on the road. The first February challenge: The third-place Heidelberg Student Princes. 

The home squad threw everything they had at the Blue Streaks, taking double-digit leads and igniting a rowdy Seiberling Gymnasium, but it was never enough, as the Clevelanders played incredible defense and snagged a huge 91-82 road win. 
    
The first half was electric for both sides. The opening minutes of the first half saw Emmanuel Perdue and Luke Frazier trading buckets to keep the game close, but after a Luka Eller layup made the score 9-8 Heidelberg, the Student Princes began to run. They quickly scored 6 straight, nabbing a 7-point lead, and JCU countered with a run of their own, retaking the lead at 16-15. For stretches, the Tiffin squad would counter every JCU basket with two of their own, gradually growing their lead from 27-22, to 34-24, and eventually a lead as large as 46-32. 

No lead was safe tonight, however, as the Blue and Gold countered with a 13-0 run of their own to close the half, going into the locker room down only one point at 46-45. Jerry Higgins III was integral to the late run, hitting back-to-back and-ones in the form of a 4-point play and a 3-point play, netting 7 points in 2 possessions to evaporate the lead. 
    
The second half played a much different tune, becoming a grimey defensive war for 20 long minutes. The half started in much the same way, with Emmanuel Perdue and Luke Frazier trading buckets, but the Blue Streaks quickly retook the lead for the first time since it was 20-18, and a Connor O'Toole layup put JCU up 1. For several minutes, both teams continued to trade buckets and defensive stops, only seeing John Carroll able to open up a measly 4-point lead at 57-53. After a Heidelberg timeout, the Student Princes started to run again. The Blue and Gold tied the game at 61 after a quick run, and entered a 3 minute scoring drought that put the home team up 7. Chase Toppin hit a 3 and Will Yontek knocked down a free throw, but the Student Princes scored en masse, extending their lead to 76-65, securing another double digit lead. 

However, if there's one thing this Blue Streaks squad does better than anyone, it's respond. 

The Blue and Gold showed an immunity to the hostile crowd and big runs, and quickly closed the gap once again, going on an 16-0 run to take a five point lead at 81-76 with 3:20 left in the closing frame. JCU never again trailed for the last three minutes, stringing together several massive stops and converting in transition, giving them the massive 91-82 road win. The second half was the Luke Chicone show for the Blue Streaks putting up a baker's 30 piece, hitting 29 points on 10-18 shooting and a perfect 6-of-6 from the line. He scored 10 of the Blue Streaks final 26 points, and was instrumental in engineering the big stops the visitors got down the stretch. 
    
JCU got huge contributions from top to bottom. Luke Chicone topped the team in scoring with 29 points and 5 assists, once again carrying the load for the Blue Streaks down the stretch. Frazier and Higgins both hit double figures, scoring 14 and 13 points respectively, with Frazier grabbing 6 huge rebounds. Will Yontek made a huge re-entry into the lineup tonight, playing crucial closing minutes for the Blue Streaks, grabbing 7 rebounds and 3 offensive boards. While not filling up the stat sheet, David Gentry and Connor O'Toole both were integral to the defensive presence in the paint for the Blue Streaks, making hustle plays in the lane and making Heidelberg drivers uncomfortable. 
    
With the win, the Blue Streaks move to 18-2 on the season and 12-1 in conference play, maintaining first place in the conference. 

Over the last two weeks, this squad has found themselves in tough situations against teams playing their best basketball, and time and time again have responded in huge ways to pick up gritty, exciting wins. JCU's next matchup will be no different, as the Pioneers of Marietta come to town this Saturday, and they'll look to spoil senior night and keep themselves in fourth place in the conference. 
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