box score
John Carroll grabbed the lead for good midway through the second half then held on for an 83-78 victory over Muskingum College to extend its winning streak to five games.
The five-game winning streak is the longest by a JCU team since the Blue Streaks won ten games in a row to start the 1993-94 campaign.
The visiting Muskies, playing for the first time since December 29, jumped out to a nine-point lead just a little over eight minutes into the contest. Jessica McKenzie hit a short jumper to give Muskingum a 17-8 lead with 12:49 to play in the opening half.
JCU still trailed by a nine-point margin (22-13) with 9:19 showing on the first half clock when it would put together a 16-6 run that wrested the lead away from the Muskies. A Lana Kiko lay-up with 3:13 remaining in the half gave JCU a 29-28 advantage.
Muskingum, however, closed the half on a 6-2 run to take a 34-31 lead into the break.
The visitors would build an eight-point lead in the early going of the second half, but the Blue Streaks slowly reel in the Muskies. Caitlin Sureck tied the game at 62-62 on a lay-up with 10:12 to play, which was followed by a Kiko jumper with 9:10 to play that gave John Carroll a 64-63 lead.
Although John Carroll would not relinquish that lead, the margin would never exceed six points over the final nine minutes of the contest.The Muskies would close to within three points on five occasions over the final eight minutes but were unable to get closer.
Trailing 79-76 entering in the final minute of play, Muskingum missed two shots -- one a three-pointer -- before John Carroll could secure the rebound. Lianna Jennings and Rachael Price went 4-4 from the free throw line over the final 42 seconds to seal the victory.
John Carroll (7-5, 2-3 OAC) was led by a collegiate-high 21 points from Jennings, who was 8-12 from the field. Price and Kiko each each had 12 points, while Erin Zahariev contributed ten. John Carroll was 30-66 (.455) from the field for the game, including 20-34 (.588) in the second half.
Muskingum (6-5, 1-4 OAC) were paced by a game-high 25 points from Laura Gibson, who was 8-9 from the field, 2-3 from three-point range, and 7-10 from the free throw line. Tiffany Youel added 22 points while McKenzie contributed a double-double with 12 points and a game-high 13 boards.
