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John Carroll University Athletics

home of the Blue Streaks
Kyle Irwin 3 pointer vs. OWU
Jose Figueroa
Kyle Irwin
97
Winner John Carroll JCU 16-5,8-4 NCAC
65
Ohio Wesleyan OWU 6-15,3-9 NCAC
Winner
John Carroll JCU
16-5,8-4 NCAC
97
Final
65
Ohio Wesleyan OWU
6-15,3-9 NCAC
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
John Carroll JCU 52 45 97
Ohio Wesleyan OWU 30 35 65

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

In Revenge Game, Men's Basketball Earns Blowout Win at OWU

The Blue Streaks won a late night Wednesday evening road game

DELAWARE, Ohio -- Typically a Wednesday night game has a tip-off of 7:00 pm. Tonight was different as there was an unusual weekday doubleheader featuring each school's women's teams playing at 6:00 pm, meaning the men's game was scheduled for a much later 8:00 pm tip. After watching an electric ending which saw John Carroll's Women's Basketball team secure an overtime victory over Ohio Wesleyan, the boys were hyped up but were also very ready to play as the game would not start until around 8:30 pm. 

Despite the already late start followed up by a delay, it seemed to have no effect on the Blue Streaks, as they breezed to a 97-65 victory. 

The Battling Bishops started the scoring but Kyle Irwin responded quickly with a three to give John Carroll the lead 75 seconds into the game, a lead that would never disappear. Luke Chicone quickly followed Irwin's score with a tough finish through contact. 

Following that layup the Blue Streaks rattled off a 28-8 run to take complete control. Amidst the run a pair of triples had sophomore Jack Zapolnik feeling confident as he used the momentum to complete a flashy finish at the rim. An and-one opportunity and conversion from Brandon Rose gave John Carroll a 20-point lead just 9 minutes into the game. The impressive run was capped off by a Sean Collins dunk that had everyone on their feet. 

The Battling Bishops were able to end the run with a 4-point play to slow down the Blue Streak momentum. Ohio Wesleyan was able to even out the opportunities as they were able to slightly chip away at the lead. Despite any attempts by the Battling Bishops to try and gain momentum, the Blue Streaks were always there with an answer. A midrange pull up from Chicone had John Carroll up 22 heading into the break. 

The second half was more of the first as Chicone scored or assisted on each of John Carroll's first 9 points of the new half. After an extremely impressive pass from Lucas Perusek that had the entire gym fooled, Justin Chapman scored a layup to push the lead to 30 for the first time. A 3-pointer by Mike Lamirand and free throws by Rose had that lead up to 35. The following four possessions featured both teams making two 3-pointers. Knocking them down for the Blue Streaks was Perusek and Zapolnik keeping that lead in the mid 30s.

The Battling Bishops were able to take the deficit back to 30 with 5 minutes left as each side began to dig into the depths of their benches. The bench continued to impress as Tyree Turner and Michael Condoleon knocked down threes of their own on consecutive possessions. Sophomore Andrew Taggart closed out the scoring for the visitors with a free throw as John Carroll took the midnight train back to University Heights with a 32 point victory. 

Despite playing a season low 21 minutes and not playing at all in the final 16 ½ minutes it was once again Luke Chicone with the standout performance of the night as he totaled a statline of 19 points, 9 assists, 5 rebounds, and 4 steals. 

Jack Zapolnik had a stellar night as well, pouring in 15 points. 

The unsung hero of the night was Lucas Perusek, perhaps inspired by watching his sister Carly's great play down the stretch in the women's game. Perusek was all over the floor tonight, causing massive problems for the Bishop offense while also securing two offensive rebounds which resulted in scores on both instances. 

With tonight's win and some other Blue Streak favored results around the conference, John Carroll sits in second place in the NCAC regular season standings and now controls their own destiny into having a first round bye in the conference tournament. 

Up Next
The Blue Streaks return home as they get ready to celebrate Alumni Day this Saturday, February 7 against Kenyon. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:05 pm. 
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