MARIETTA --Â For the final time as conference opponents, the Blue Streaks took the trip down to Marietta to visit the Pioneers at the notoriously difficult Ban Johnson Arena.Â
In a game where the Blue Streaks had to attempt a ferocious comeback, they fell just short in a 72-65 loss.
The defeat snapped a season-long 11-game winning streak for John Carroll Men's Basketball.Â
Marietta jumped out to a quick 5-point lead. However, a Will Yontek free throw and a triple by Chase Toppin would get the John Carroll scoring going. Scores by Yontek and Luke Frazier gave John Carroll their first lead of the game.Â
The Pioneers responded with a 11-0 run thanks to a trio of threes to take an early 10 point lead. Every Blue Streak bucket was quickly answered by Marietta, not letting the Streaks get much closer. A layup and free throw from Brandon Rose and a three by Aidan Fitzgerald cut the deficit to just five. However, another trio of Marietta threes sent John Carroll into the locker room down 14.
The coaches came in fired up and told the boys exactly what it was. The team that was playing harder, playing for their lives, was winning this game. It was going to take a strong effort but this comeback is doable and something this team has done before.Â
The second half started very slowly, with defense being the story. Through the first three and a half minutes, the only changes to the scoreboard were fouls, a layup by Toppin, and a free throw by Frazier. A layup by Henry Raynor cut it to nine, but an immediate response from deep by the Pioneers upped the lead back to 12.Â
John Carroll continued to stay in the game, attempting to chip away at the lead, but Marietta did not let them get too close. The Blue Streaks found themselves trailing by 12 with 9:26 remaining, but Brandon Rose would rattle off threes on back-to-back-to-back possessions. Scores by Marietta after each one trimmed the margin to just seven.Â
The teams continued to battle and a pair of free throws from Raynor would have John Carroll down six with four minutes remaining. A Luke Frazier jumper and a layup from Raynor the deficit set at two with just over a minute to play.Â
The Streaks weren't able to get anything to fall, and the final minute was just Marietta making free throws, ending the John Carroll winning streak at 11.Â
Yontek, Raynor, and Rose led the team in scoring with 12 each.
Raynor would tally 4 blocks, inching him closer to the 100 career blocks milestone with 97.Â
Up Next
The Blue Streaks travel to Alliance this Wednesday for a rematch with the Mount Union Purple Raiders. Tip-off is set for 7 pm.
