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John Carroll University Athletics

home of the Blue Streaks
Carly Perusek vs. Otterbein 1-8-25
Sean Finucane
31
Otterbein OTT 7-5,3-2 OAC
48
Winner John Carroll JCU 10-3,4-1 OAC
Otterbein OTT
7-5,3-2 OAC
31
Final
48
John Carroll JCU
10-3,4-1 OAC
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Otterbein OTT 11 5 8 7 31
John Carroll JCU 5 20 14 9 48

Game Recap: Women's Basketball | | Joe Ginley '16, SID

Defensive Masterclass Clinches Statement Win over Otterbein for Women's Basketball

JCU held Otterbein to 31 points, the lowest output in Cardinals' history

UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS – All the John Carroll Women's Basketball coaching staff has been talking about in practice is defense.

In a key showdown of second-place Ohio Athletic Conference juggernauts, the Blue Streaks posted one of the best defensive efforts since the 1990's. 

The Blue Streaks shutdown the Otterbein Cardinals, 48-31, in a historic defensive performance.

The Cardinals' 31 points marks the lowest scoring output in program history (dating back to 1984-85). The 31 points allowed is not a program record for John Carroll, but does bring up a fascinating historical comparison.

The last time JCU held an opponent to such a low score? November 25, 1994 vs. the University of the South (aka Sewanee). Guess who was the star of that game? None other than Darlene Sheehan '95, an All-American and Hall of Famer. The Blue Streaks beat Sewanee, 75-25, as part of the JCU Tip-off Tournament, after which Neitzel was named MVP (the late Sue Zidanic also notched 8 rebounds vs. Sewanee). As it so happens, her daughter – Ella Neitzel – helped to key the defensive masterclass. 

"We hyped up our players on keeping them out of the paint, being overly aggressive, switching everything, and staying locked into what we're good at," said Head Coach Beth Andrews '15. 

The start of the game was a slow one for John Carroll. Otterbein's defense prevented JCU from getting open looks, and the shots that the hosts did take just didn't fall. But Carly Perusek sent JCU into the break with a nice bump of moment with a late fast break layup off a long pass from Ava Ryncarz. JCU trailed after one, 11-5.

"We got into them after the first quarter. When we don't play defense, we can't score the way we want to score. They bought into [the philosophy], which led to a 20-point quarter," explained Andrews. 

Defense indeed did spur an offensive avalanche. Perusek authored the attack, with back-to-back and-ones early in the second quarter. The Beaumont alum's work quickly knotted the game at 11 less than two minutes into the quarter. 

"That really fueled the rest of the game for us," said Andrews. "She brought the energy we were missing. Carly is super special, I've been calling her a jack of all trades since I met her. She started as a guard, now she is our 5. I ask her to defend, to score, and to not score sometimes. She will do whatever we ask her to do."

Otterbein – playing its first road game in over a month – answered with a bucket, but Ryncarz responded with a triple. After Otterbein tied it at 16 with 4:34 remaining, the Blue Streaks found a groove. Carmen Heuker scored four in a row and Neitzel nailed a trey, sending JCU into the half on a 9-0 run with a 25-16 advantage. 

Despite a 3-pointer early in the third, Otterbein never got within one possession. A 10-3 JCU run defined the third quarter, including a Brooke Laub make from deep. 

The fourth quarter didn't have much flow, but that was okay by JCU. The visitors made just two shots from the field, going scoreless in the final three and a half minutes. 

"Our point guards did an outstanding job of handling really great Otterbein pressure. Our wings did a nice job of getting open," said Andrews. "Overall, when our defense plays well, we're able to pick up deflections or get the rebound in the right person's hands, that allows us to run fast. I'm proud of the group effort. I have posts who are willing to run, so that helps get the first post player down the floor for an easy touch."

Carly Perusek enjoyed her first career double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds, her highest scoring output vs. a conference opponent. Ava Ryncarz also notched 10 points. 

JCU shot just 4-of-24 from 3-point range, but it didn't matter. John Carroll dominated the boards with hustle, 46-34, notching 16 second-chance points. The Cardinals couldn't anything going in the paint, as the hosts outscored them there, 28-8.

"This is a big win. This is a statement win at home," said Andrews. "Everybody stepped up. Ava had a tough shooting night, but she stayed with it. Everyone stepped up around her, which shows how deep we are, and builds confidence down the stretch."

Next Up
John Carroll will return to action on Saturday, heading on the road. The Blue Streaks will play at Capital at 1 pm in a battle of second-place teams in the OAC with identical 4-1 marks. 
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