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John Carroll University Athletics

home of the Blue Streaks
Chase Toppin vs. Etta
Ben Peskar
Chase Toppin poured in 18 points for the Blue Streaks in the narrow win. 
78
Skidmore SKD 4-6,2-1 Liberty League
83
Winner John Carroll JCU 9-2,3-1 OAC
Skidmore SKD
4-6,2-1 Liberty League
78
Final
83
John Carroll JCU
9-2,3-1 OAC
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 OT 1 F
Skidmore SKD 30 45 3 78
John Carroll JCU 27 48 8 83

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | | Deuce Zak, Staff Writer

Men's Basketball Defeats Skidmore in Overtime in Florida Closer

Naples, FL- On what was another beautiful day in sunny Florida, the Blue Streaks came back to the Kent Court as the Community School of Naples for day 2 of the D3 Destinations Naples Shootout. 

The #8 team in the country came into today's contest against Skidmore looking for redemption after a disappointing loss the afternoon before against University of Wisconsin-Superior. 

The Blue Streaks needed overtime to do it, but managed to defeat Skidmore, 83-78. 

In the early going, the shooting woes from yesterday's contest continued to plague JCU, with the Blue Streaks unable to hit open shots in the mid range or from the perimeter. However, the defensive effort picked up considerably. Unfortunately, the shooting slump produced yet another slow start. Scoring only 4 points through the first 7 minutes put the Ohioans in a deep hole yet again. 

Chase Toppin once again provided the early spark, hitting the Blue and Gold's first points. With the slump came a decreased defensive presence, once again giving up 20 points in the first ten minutes. 

There was a notable return for the Blue Streaks, however, as today's contest marked David Gentry's first game back from an ankle injury. His return brought life to JCU. Gentry's physicality and strength under the basket changed the tenor of the team, as every guy on floor upped the intensity, forcing stops and getting tough baskets. 

Luke Chicone provided a late first half spark for the second straight day, getting to the rim and making an impact on defense. 

The intensity level increased gradually as the half went on, and the Blue Streaks continued to chip away at the Thoroughbreds' lead, holding them to only 10 points in the last ten minutes of the half, cutting their early double digit to 3, going into the locker room at the half at 30-27 in favor of Skidmore. 

The second half started with much of the same intensity that came at the end of the first. Luke Frazier provided a huge breakaway slam that gave JCU their first lead of the game. That play opened the floodgates for the Blue Streaks, and it looked like the team that handed Marietta a 20 point loss in their own building managed to land in Naples (flying Southwest of course). Frazier snagged another steal and score, and Chase Toppin scored two quick buckets in a row to stretch their lead up to 8 at 44-36. Skidmore wouldn't back down, however, matching JCU's physicality and keeping it close. 

Luke Chicone stepped up in a huge way in the second, being more aggressive and under control, getting to the line and setting up his teammates. Chicone's star counterpart in the back court, Chase Toppin, also got whatever he wanted, nabbing multiple and one's in the first ten minutes of the second half. The Thoroughbred defense had no answers for him, and he mercilessly attacked them at every opportunity. Neither team let up with the intensity, going shot for shot and consistently getting stops. 

In the later stages of the game, the Thoroughbreds managed a run, coming back from down 10 points to outscore the Blue Streaks 17-7 in the final five minutes of the second half, with the Blue Streaks barely managing to hang on and force overtime at 75-75, thanks to a late Chicone free throw. 

Finally, in the extra period, the Blue Streaks managed to take the lead for good, riding on the back of Luke Chicone, who made several timely layups and drew a gigantic charge that lead to another layup, giving JCU a three point lead. After that, Luke Frazier made two clutch free throws and one final stop gave the Blue Streaks the win, by a final score of 83-78. 

The stars shined brightly and paved the way for JCU's ninth win. Luke Frazier once again had a huge day, scoring 25 points and going a perfect 11-for-11 from the free throw line. Luke Chicone and Chase Toppin both provided massive scoring efforts, pouring in 18 points, Chicone grabbing 7 rebounds. Will Yontek was the fourth Blue Streak in double figures, adding 10, with a plethora of other players chipping in a few points. JCU was cold from deep, going 0-for-8.

After returning to University Heights, the Blue Streaks will have less than a week to prepare for a monster Ohio Athletic Conference matchup against Heidelberg in the DeCarlo Center next Wednesday. 
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