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John Carroll University Athletics

home of the Blue Streaks
Mike Lamirand vs. Grinnell 3-6-26
Peter Wangechi
86
Grinnell GC 22-4,15-1 Midwest Conference
118
Winner John Carroll JCU 23-6,11-5 NCAC
Grinnell GC
22-4,15-1 Midwest Conference
86
Final
118
John Carroll JCU
23-6,11-5 NCAC
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Grinnell GC 35 51 86
John Carroll JCU 58 60 118

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | | JCUSID

Men's Basketball Erupts With Historic NCAA Tournament Victory Over Grinnell College

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - Anyone who follows NCAA Division III basketball had very close eyes on today's First Round game between John Carroll Men's Basketball and Grinnell College.

Grinnell is notorious for their unorthodox, fast paced system. John Carroll introduced a new fast-paced style of play to the program this year. The NCAA Division III Tournament opener featured two teams who were top 25 in pace all season long.

Neither team shied away from their preferred system, but inevitably it was the Blue Streaks that pulled away with their largest NCAA Tournament win of all time, claiming victory with a score of 118-86. 

Luke Chicone continued his momentum from the NCAA tournament, nailing a triple just 6 seconds into the game. The teams started even. A Jack Zapolnik three pushed that lead to four. A few possessions later, a Chicone alley-oop to Kyle Irwin showed that John Carroll was here to win, to dominate. Grinnell was cold from beyond the arc, not a great recipe when you average 40 threes a game. The Blue Streaks took advantage and slowly built a lead.

Where the Pioneers were cold, the Blue Streaks were hot, as Irwin and Kasey Hunt buried some more from beyond the arc, extending the lead. The first Mike Lamirand 3-pointer of the night pushed the lead to 17 with 9 minutes left in the half. The fun did not stop there, as Hunt scored seven of the Streaks' next nine points as the lead was extended to 22 points. The lead was floating around 20 as the clock wound down. Another triple from Lamirand sent John Carroll into the break with a commanding 23-point lead.

The story of the game was written behind the arc. The Pioneers were shooting a less than ideal 1-of-19 from three point range in the opening half while the Blue Streaks were on fire, going 10-of-22 from deep. 

The second half was no different from the first. If anything, the Blue Streaks put even more weight on the gas pedal. The Pioneers tried their best but continued to be cold from outside the arc while John Carroll took advantage of every opportunity they had. Zapolnik sank back to back triples and then an improbable layup from Lamirand had the Ohioans up by 30. 

A few minutes later, a Chicone lob finished off by Kasey Hunt had the Blue Streak faithful going nuts. The fun play seemed to be the final nail, as the Grinnell side seemed to lose all their life. A layup through contact from Brandon Rose had the lead into the forties as the Blue Streak reserves began to enter the game. A triple from Justin Chapman got the advantage to a game high 43 points.

Tyree Turner contributed in his time as he scored two layups and made a three of his own. The clock eventually hit zero as the Blue Streaks danced their way into the Round of 32.

Three-point shooting was the biggest factor, clearly, the Pioneers shot an abysmal 14% from deep while the Blue Streaks couldn't be kept down, shooting an astonishing 48%.

Mike Lamirand led the way, scoring 22 points on 5-for-8 shooting from deep.

"We don't need to adapt to a system, we are the system," stated Lamirand. 

Kasey Hunt scored 20 points of his own. Kyle Irwin had a huge night, adding 18 points and 8 rebounds.

Luke Chicone recorded a double-double with 12 points and 11 assists. With his assists tonight, Chicone is now the record holder for most assists in a single season in John Carroll history.

"We've been saying it all year and we'll keep saying it. Why not us? We were counted out and now we're not going to stop," said Chicone 

Up Next
The Blue Streaks stay in Bloomington, as they will face off against Illinois Wesleyan in the Round of 32 on Saturday. Tip-off is set for 7:40 pm EST. 
 
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