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John Carroll University Athletics

home of the Blue Streaks
Luke Frazier vs. York 1st Round NCAA 3-7-25
Jose Figueroa
69
John Carroll JCU 22-6
71
Winner York (Pa.) YCP 22-6
John Carroll JCU
22-6
69
Final
71
York (Pa.) YCP
22-6
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
John Carroll JCU 32 37 69
York (Pa.) YCP 32 39 71

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | | Aiden Ramsden, Staff Writer

Men's Basketball Falls Just Short at York (PA) in First Round of NCAA Tournament

Luke Frazier guided the scoring in a strong effort, but the Spartans came up with plays late to win it

YORK, Pa. – For the third straight season, the John Carroll Blue Streaks found themselves in the NCAA Tournament. This season, the bracket sent John Carroll Men's Basketball on a 5-hour trip over to York, Pennsylvania for the first round, where they would open up against the host Spartans.

Despite a hard fought battle, the Blue Streaks came up short, ending their season after a 71-69 loss.

"It was a battle, looking at the stats, I thought we played well enough to win the game," said Head Coach Pete Moran '08. "York got a couple of the 50-50 balls on us in crucial situations. It's tough on the road, especially being the higher seed and the travel. But I tip by cap to York, they were extremely well-coached and prepared."

A common theme all season had been John Carroll opponents beginning games on fire from beyond the 3-point line, that was no different tonight as the Spartans sprinted out to a 13-4 lead just five minutes into the game thanks to a trio of threes. Chase Toppin responded with 5 points of his own to cut that deficit to four, but another Spartan three continued to give them comfort. 

A Luke Frazier baseline drive dunk paired with his own three and a Dave Gentry layup kept the Streaks in the game. Another Frazier score, this time paired with a Will Yontek layup would have the game tied for the first time since 0-0.

A Spartan free throw, followed by yet another three gave them the lead right back with nine minutes left to play in the opening half. York would continue to hold a lead, keeping the Blue Streaks from cutting the deficit too much but a pair of Frazier free throws tied the game back up and an Aidan Fitzgerald tip-in gave the Blue Streaks their first lead in nearly 19 minutes of game time. York responded with a layup to knot the score at 32 heading into the break.

The coaching staff's message at halftime was to just keep playing John Carroll's brand of basketball, which has worked so well down the stretch.

The second half started just as the first ended, with both teams trading scores with neither team managing to pull away. David Gentry knocked down a shot from deep to pull JCU ahead. The Spartans quickly took the lead back before a Fitzgerald three once again put the Blue Streaks back up by one. York responded with back-to-back scores of their own, one being a triple to take their lead back. But Henry Raynor and Will Yontek would go to work down low, cutting the Spartan lead to just one. 

The home crowd was loud all game, but were especially rowdy for this final minute. A made three and a fast break layup had the Spartans ahead by six with 26 seconds left on the clock. Luke Frazier immediately responded with his own three. But the Blue Streaks had to turn to playing the foul game with just 20 remaining. York converted on their free throws and the Blue Streaks couldn't get anything to fall until a Henry Raynor layup at the buzzer, but it would be too little too late, as their season would come to end.

Luke Frazier would lead the team with 24 points and 13 rebounds.

Despite the early exit from the tournament and the emotional moment in the locker room post game, this Blue Streak group has nothing to hang their head on. This season, the team had to deal with challenges coming one after another. Despite the adjustments that come with losing your starting point guard for the season and other obstacles, the team never wavered and continued to fight as hard as they could each day. 

After a rough 4-game skid early on, the Blue Streaks closed out the final 18 games of the regular season with a 17-1 record to lift themselves back on top of the conference standings before clinching their ticket to the NCAA Tournament in front of a home crowd with an OAC Tournament Championship. 

"When you play in the OAC, which is one of the predominantly strongest conferences in America, to be three-time OAC Champions, that tells the story of the young men we have," said Moran. "John Carroll is a special place with special people who have changed the culture. I often tell my guys that I love them and I'm proud of them. Coaches say that all the time, but I can say that with all honesty. This is an incredible group. Their success over the last few years have not only created memories for themselves, but me and my family."

This senior class has earned themselves quite the basketball resume. The last three seasons have been nothing short of an extraordinary run for Head Coach Pete Moran and his team as they amassed a 71-11 (48-6 OAC) record. From three-peating as OAC regular season champs to back-to-back OAC tournament championships, this team has definitely cemented themselves in John Carroll history. 

"The relationships I've built and the bonds I've built [are what I'll remember]," said Yontek.

Postgame Press Conference

A quick thank you to all the fans, families, and community members that helped make this season so special. Without the support of the John Carroll community none of this would be possible. We look forward to seeing all of you back in the Tony Decarlo Varsity Center next season. 
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