Skip To Main Content
Skip To Main Content

John Carroll University Athletics

home of the Blue Streaks
Jack Zapolnik vs. Oberlin
Sam Herr
89
Winner John Carroll JCU 18-5,10-4 NCAC
76
Oberlin Ober 10-12,3-10 NCAC
Winner
John Carroll JCU
18-5,10-4 NCAC
89
Final
76
Oberlin Ober
10-12,3-10 NCAC
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
John Carroll JCU 46 43 89
Oberlin Ober 35 41 76

Next Game:

at Denison University

2/14/2026 | 3:00 PM

Next Game

Full Schedule
Feb. 14 (Sat) / 3:00 PM
at Denison University
History

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | | JCUSID

Zapolnik's Career Day Propels Men's Basketball Past Oberlin

The Blue Streaks now possess a half-game lead in the NCAC standings

OBERLIN, Ohio – For the second time in as many Wednesdays, John Carroll Men's Basketball secured a late night win on the road.

In a game that the Blue Streaks controlled the whole way, JCU defeated the Oberlin College Yeomen, 89-76.

Jack Zapolnik put on a show with a career-high 27 points. Thanks in part to the sophomore's starring effort, JCU advances to 18-5 overall, 10-4 in North Coast Athletic Conference play. 

With a Denison loss on Wednesday night, JCU now holds a half-game lead for first place in the NCAC. A critical road game at the Big Red looms on Saturday, with postseason implications in the balance. The Blue Streaks control their own destiny, as if JCU wins all three remaining regular season games, they would clinch the NCAC crown.

John Carroll dominated the opening 80 seconds of the contest, firing out to a 5-0 lead, causing Oberlin to burn a rare early timeout at 18:41. The Yeomen soon settled in, battling back to a 15-15 tie despite a pair of 3-pointers by Brandon Rose and Luke Chicone.

Following a Zapolnik make from downtown at the midway point of the half, Oberlin caught some momentum to knot the game at 22-all. Then JCU took the air out of the gym with a 15-0 run.

Kyle Irwin started things with a wing triple. The Yeomen then left Chicone open for a wide open straightaway three. Zapolnik soon scored five points in short order. A Mike Lamirand steal and score led to an Oberlin timeout with JCU in full control, 37-22.

Oberlin responded with a 5-point run out of the timeout, but the Saint Ignatius boys kept the offense humming. Lamirand and Zapolnik scored down the stretch and Chicone nailed a pair of free throws to set the score at 46-33 at the break.

The Blue Streaks came out firing in the second half, starting out on a 12-3 run which was sparked by threes from Irwin and Fitzgerald to push the lead to 20. John Carroll continued to push the pace with Zapolnik leading the way offensively, but the Yeomen refused to go away. 

Another triple from Lamirand had the Blue Streaks up by 16 with just under 10 to go. Those remaining minutes saw nothing new as John Carroll managed to keep the lead steady. Neither side provided much excitement until there was about 23 seconds left. With Jack Zapolnik dribbling out the shot clock near half court, Coach Pete Moran told him to throw the ball at the rim to prevent a dead ball, so Zapolnik opted for the underhand scoop shot, and buried it. That shot ensured a double-digit win for the Blue Streaks as they left the court with an 89-76 victory. 

Jack Zapolnik led the way all day with a career-high 27 points on 5-of-10 shooting from behind the arc. 

"I'm just here having a good time, I don't have much else to say about it," stated Zapolnik following his spectacular performance. 

Looking past Zapolnik's career day, Luke Chicone and Aidan Fitzgerald both poured in 15 points. Kyle Irwin also had a nice day with 12 points. 

"These wins are nice, but we have to look forward, we have a big one coming up on Saturday," said Chicone when talking about the next steps for this John Carroll squad. 

JCU won the turnover battle, forcing 15 while only committing seven. The Blue Streaks tied a season high with 15 makes from 3-point range.  

Next Up
The Blue Streaks have a crucial road game ahead at Denison on Saturday at 3 pm. JCU won the first matchup in University Heights, 89-75. 
Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

Luke Chicone

#0 Luke Chicone

PG
5' 11"
Graduate Student
Aidan Fitzgerald

#12 Aidan Fitzgerald

G
6' 4"
Junior
Kyle Irwin

#23 Kyle Irwin

F
6' 6"
Junior
Mike Lamirand

#3 Mike Lamirand

F
6' 4"
Sophomore
Brandon Rose

#1 Brandon Rose

G/F
6' 3"
Junior
Jack Zapolnik

#21 Jack Zapolnik

Guard
6' 0"
Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Luke Chicone

#0 Luke Chicone

5' 11"
Graduate Student
PG
Aidan Fitzgerald

#12 Aidan Fitzgerald

6' 4"
Junior
G
Kyle Irwin

#23 Kyle Irwin

6' 6"
Junior
F
Mike Lamirand

#3 Mike Lamirand

6' 4"
Sophomore
F
Brandon Rose

#1 Brandon Rose

6' 3"
Junior
G/F
Jack Zapolnik

#21 Jack Zapolnik

6' 0"
Sophomore
Guard

Sponsors