When a youthful team catches fire and gains some momentum, it is fun to just sit back, watch, and enjoy.

The rejuvenated JCU women's basketball team took an upset win over conference-leader Ohio Northern last Saturday and tacked on a Wednesday night conference road win to sweeten the deal.

A six-point lead at the halftime break was blown open by an 11-0 JCU run to start off the second half, and the Blue & Gold did not look back claiming their first road win since the season-opener at La Roche College on November 15, 2017.

The Blue Streaks topped the host Heidelberg University, 88-71, in their final road OAC contest of the 2017-18 regular season.

Five different Blue Streaks scored in double figures, as junior Chelbi Graham finished the game with a team-high 16 points. Freshmen Nicole Heffington and Abby Adler followed closely behind, each contributing 15 points.

Sophomore Dani Carlson nailed two of JCU's four three-pointers on the evening, finishing the game with 12 points, and junior Bri Pittenger rounded out the JCU double-figure scoring clan with 11 points.

Heidelberg's Megan Siesel and Brittanie Ulmer each had 22 points on the night, good for game-highs in scoring.

With the win, the Blue Streaks advance to 7-17 on the season, and 5-12 in conference action, winning each of their last two OAC matchups. The win secured an OAC playoff berth for the Blue Streaks

Tonight's win also completed the season sweep of Heidelberg for the Blue Streaks, and marked John Carroll's first back-to-back wins of this campaign.

JCU's 88 total points are also the most in regulation this season for the Blue Streaks.

After Ulmer scored six of Heidelberg's first nine points, the Berg led 9-3 two minutes into the game. Though, Adler provided the spark for JCU, hitting her first of two three-pointers to ignite the impressive night for the Blue Streak offense.

Another Adler three-pointer with 6:19 remaining give the JCU their first lead, 12-9. Ulmer's answered with a three less than a minute later giving the Berg the edge, before Carlson's deep three-pointer put the Blue Streaks back on top. 

An exchange of baskets kept the first quarter tight, as JCU took a one-point lead into the first half intermission.

Then, Graham, Heffington, and Pittenger claimed the paint. Of Graham's 16 points on the night, 14 of them came after the first quarter. Graham also went a perfect 8-of-8 from the free throw line. Heffington and Pittenger each also collected nine rebounds, contributing 18 total to the team's combined 43 rebounds on the night.

Taking a six-point lead into the halftime break, following a near last-second Carlson steal and layup, the Blue Streaks jumped out to an 11-0 run following the third quarter whistle.

During such span, the Blue Streak lead reached as high as 17 points following a sophomore Sarah Sprecher free throw.

JCU continued the offensive pressure, through a tough and consistent retaliation from Heidelberg. Lay-ups by Heffington, Graham and Sprecher in consecutive order preserved the 17-point victory for the Blue & Gold.

The Blue Streaks finished the night shooting 26-of-31 (83.9%) from the free throw line, and out-rebounding the Berg, 43-33. 

Dani Carlson finished the game with a career-high five steals, and junior Kahrin Spear aided the defensive end with two blocks and two steals, along with a team-high four assists on the offensive side.

Up next, the Blue Streaks will conclude the 2017-18 regular season at home on Saturday afternoon. The Capital Crusaders will visit the Tony DeCarlo Varsity Center for a 3:00 p.m. matinee with the Blue Streaks.