John Carroll JCU 14-6,8-4 OAC

Marietta MAR 11-8,5-7 OAC

John Carroll JCU

14-6,8-4 OAC

Final

Feb. 01, 2025

Marietta MAR

11-8,5-7 OAC

Score By Periods
Team	1	2	3	4	F
John Carroll JCU	15	22	15	24	76
Marietta MAR	13	12	23	22	70

Summary
Box Score

Peter Wangechi

Game Recap: Women's Basketball | 2/1/2025 5:09:00 PM | Joe Ginley '16, SID

Women's Basketball Survives the Banjo, Beating Marietta

Ella Neitzel accumulated a season-best 15 points

MARIETTA – The longest conference road stretch of the season ended on a positive note for John Carroll Women's Basketball.

The Blue Streaks staved off a hungry Marietta College team at the notoriously tough Ban Johnson Arena on Saturday, getting back in the win column before heading home.

JCU ended a 3-game losing skid with a 76-70 conquest of the Pioneers in a key victory, leveling out to 8-4 in conference play.

Victory did not always seem assured for JCU in this matchup, however. By the halfway mark of the first quarter, the Blue Streaks trailed the Pioneers, 13-4. Sensing that Marietta, on the short end in four of their last five games, was gaining momentum, Head Coach Beth Andrews '15 wisely called for a timeout. Her troops responded with an outstanding final 4:45 of the quarter, firing up 11 straight points, with a last-second Brooke Laub layup as the capper. In doing so, JCU stole the lead at the quarter break.

Despite an Ava Ryncarz triple, Marietta scored on back-to-back fastbreaks, leading to a JCU timeout. Andrews' brilliant timeout timing led to another fantastic five minute stretch. The Blue Streaks suddenly started hitting triples, two by Neitzel and three by Ryncarz. Marietta did not hit another field goal after Andrews' timeout. Thus, the Blue Streaks carried a marvelous 37-25 advantage into the break.

JCU's lead stretched to 13 by the midway point of the third quarter, but then the pressure of the Banjo started showing. Some turnovers led to some quick Pio scores. While Ryncarz nailed 4 free throws in the final 69 seconds of the third, a late Pio 3-pointer set the margin at just four points, 52-48, leading into the fourth.

Two minutes into the final period, Marietta snatched the lead back. Graci Semptimphelter provided the response with a triple. Marietta called a timeout at the midpoint of the fourth, with the tally tied at 62. About a minute later, Neitzel nailed a 3-ball, and JCU never trailed again. While Marietta stuck around within one possession late, clutch free throw shooting by Brooke Laub and Carmen Heuker did not open the door for the Pios.

Ava Ryncarz registered a double-double to guide JCU's effort, penciling in 21 points and 11 rebounds. Ella Neitzel hit new heights today, with a season-high 15 points. Carmen Heuker hit double digits in points with 10, while Graci Semptimphelter tied her season best with 5 assists.

Next Up
John Carroll returns home on Wednesday for a rivalry showdown vs. the University of Mount Union in a 7 pm matchup.

Print Friendly Version