Box Score In a match-up between OAC rivals that was largely played from the free throw line, the Blue Streaks emerged victorious, claiming a much-needed triumph over the Capital Crusaders, 77-74, at home Saturday afternoon.

After a back and forth first half, the second saw the Blue and Gold (13-8, 6-8 OAC) begin to take over. Leading by as many 11, JCU controlled most of the second stanza. The Crusaders (13-8, 8-6 OAC), led by junior guard Cookie Geroski, made a fierce comeback as time ticked down in the contest, but Missy Spahar and the Blue Streaks would not be denied a win.

“We knew we were going to win this game,” sophomore guard Beth Switzler said after the victory. “We said at the beginning of the game that we were going to win, and we played just like that. I'm very proud of our team.”

Led by Spahar's double double (22 points, 15 rebounds), Beth Switzler's great play in the paint (20 points, 10 rebounds) and junior guard Allie Lustig's solid all-around performance (11 points, five assists), the Blue and Gold were able to produce just enough offense to win.

Many of the trio's 52 points came off free throws. Capital handed the JCU triumvirate 33 attempts from the line, and these Blue Streaks responded, sinking 24 of them. Spahar was particularly clutch from the charity stripe, converting 12 of 13 shots from the line. Overall, 31 of the JCU's 77 points came from free throws.

“I've just been practicing my free throws, because I know I'm down low, and that's normally where you get fouled,” Spahar said after the game. “I know I have to be able to put free throws in.”

But free throws were not the only reason for JCU's victory.

The team stepped up in the second half on offense. The Blue Streaks raced to an 8-0 run early on, giving the squad a 39-31 advantage. JCU would never relent the lead. Spahar, Switzler and Lustig kept up the offensive pressure, despite tough defense applied by the Crusaders.

Capital still found a way back into the game, though. Narrowing the gap to four with under five minutes to play, the Crusaders, led by guard Geroski (18 points), brought the game within striking distance. Thanks to a pair of key assists by sophomore guard Emily Taylor, as well as clutch free throw in the final minutes, the Blue Streaks held on for the win over their OAC rival.

“Right now, whoever it was, whether it was Capital or not, this team needed to beat somebody ahead of us that are predominantly in the top three, top four of the conference,” JCU head coach Kristie Maravalli said after the game.

Early on in the game, a victory did not seem so assured. The first half was a close, defensive affair, as the teams traded possessions for most of the period. Capital and JCU started off the game in zone defenses, allowing for a bit of scoring early on, but both squads switched to a man defense around the 15 minute mark of the half.

The scoring slowed down after that, as either team could gain momentum. But thanks to stellar play on defense, the Blue and Gold were able to keep the score within reach. JCU's rebounding ability was a major reason for the close game, as the Blue Streaks outrebounded the Crusaders in the first stanza, 21-14.

Capital's excessive fouls were also a cause for the team's inability to build a significant lead, as JCU converted on 13 of 14 free throw attempts in the first half.

Heading onward, the Blue Streaks will travel to Berea to take on the Baldwin Wallace Yellow Jackets (11-9, 6-7 OAC) on Wednesday evening.