After Albion College jumped out to an massive early lead, things looked bleak for the John Carroll women's basketball team on Saturday evening.

Despite the adversity, the Blue Streaks would not be deprived of a win in their season opener.

John Carroll (1-0) battled back from an 18-point halftime deficit to beat the Albion College Britons (0-1), 60-52.

Junior Katlyn Spahar had 17 points, seven assists, and three steals. Katie Battaglia and Chelbi Graham each added 10 points. Shmoo Pryor notched four assists in the game.

In the first quarter, John Carroll could not get their shots to fall. The Blue Streaks shot 7.7 percent from the floor, trailing 18-3.

John Carroll came out stronger in the second quarter, matching points with Albion until a 6-0 JCU run made the score 28-16. At the end of the first half, JCU trailed 38-20.

It was an aggressive first half as the teams combined for 19 personal fouls.

"We just didn't rebound in the first half," said head coach Kelly Morrone after the game. "Defensively we were not as physical as we should have been, they got every shot they wanted and had second and third chances."

"It's an emotional hardship when you play like that, and it takes some growing to dig yourself out of the hole."

The Blue Streaks did just that to start the second half. JCU outscored Albion by nine, and trailed the end of the third quarter, 47-38.

A shot from junior Katie Battaglia tied up the game for the first time at 47. Graham added a basket to put the Blue Streaks ahead for the first time in the game, 49-47.

Cairnie filled up the stat sheet down the stretch. She finished with nine points and 14 rebounds, including seven offensive.

"Katlyn and Shmoo had big moments and played big minutes, but this was spurred by Sarah Cairnie," reflected Morrone. "She did a monster job on their post players and willed us back in it."

"If she doesn't do what she did, we don't close that out."

John Carroll will travel to Bluffton University at 1 p.m. on Friday, November 20th.