Ben Peskar

Box Score

The Blue Streaks nearly came back, but couldn't overcome a tough start to the second half.

John Carroll JCU 23-5,16-2 OAC

Oswego St. Osw 27-2,17-1 SUNYAC

John Carroll JCU

23-5,16-2 OAC

Final

Mar. 04, 2023

Oswego St. Osw

27-2,17-1 SUNYAC

Score By Periods
Team	1	2	F
John Carroll JCU	30	31	61
Oswego St. Osw	33	33	66

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | 3/4/2023 10:59:00 PM | Deuce Zak, Staff Writer

Cold Second-Half Start Dooms Men's Basketball at #6 Oswego State in NCAA Second Round

OSWEGO, NY -- After 32 first-round matchups were played yesterday, the Blue Streaks survived, moving on to the Second Round of the NCAA Division III Tournament.

John Carroll Men's Basketball was one win away from advancing to the second weekend of the tournament, but a tough foe stood in their way. The 25-2 hosts, Oswego State, were the only thing standing between the Blue Streaks and a Round of 16 berth, but the #6 Lakers proved to be too much. Despite a furious comeback from down 17, the Blue and Gold fell just short, having their magical turnaround season end on a loss, 66-61.

The Clevelanders started hot in the first. Only 17 points were scored between both teams in the first nine minutes of action, 12 of which coming from the Blue Streaks, giving them a solid cushion early. However, the Lakers were not going to let that cushion stay, as they would slowly claw their way back once the scoring got going, eventually taking their first lead with 7 minutes left in the half at 23-21.

Oswego would outscore the Blue and Gold 10-9 in the last 7 minutes, giving the hosts a 33-30 lead at the half. For the Blue Streaks, a big name finally found his footing again. Luke Frazier was on a mission tonight, and effectively ended a shooting slump when his squad needed it the most, getting his first three shots to go, en route to 13 first half points.

The second half did not play a similar tune for the Blue Streaks. The Lakers came out of the half with a renewed defensive intensity, and got several stops in a row, leading to a blazing 16-2 start in the first five minutes of the half, a complete 180 from the start of the game. Oswego State sank their first seven shots of the half while JCU was cold.

JCU was not about to go quietly, however. As every person who knows this team might expect, the Blue Streaks began to claw back, slowly but surely, finally getting some shots to drop and beating the Oswego defense. What was a 49-32 deficit became 49-39, then 54-46, and then 60-54, and with 48 seconds left, they cut it to four at 65-61.

However, it wasn't enough this time around, and like several of the Blue and Gold's other losses this year, they were one or two plays short of completing the comeback. John Carroll's season would come to a close in the round of 32, a huge achievement and a sign of how bright the Blue Streaks future is.

It took everyone to stay in this game. Frazier led the Blue Streaks in scoring with 13 points and nearly had a double-double with 9 rebounds. Henry Raynor and Will Yontek were both massive presences in this game once again, Raynor notching his second straight double-double with 12 points and 11 boards, and Yontek also scoring 12 points and adding 6 rebounds. Luke Chicone was the fourth Blue Streak in double figures, chipping in 11 points and 4 rebounds. Chase Toppin and Jerry Higgins III were impeccable defensively tonight, Higgins drawing 3 charges and Toppin hounding Oswego guards. Higgins also added 7 points and Toppin added 4.

Just one year ago, the John Carroll Men's Basketball program was in a tough spot. Fresh off an 8-16 season, there was a long road ahead to returning to the force they once were in the OAC and nationally. Now, 12 months later, the team was 6 points away from making the Sweet 16, and secured a regular season OAC title, one year removed from a last place finish. One loss does not define the astronomical success this squad has had this season, and it took complete commitment from every person associated with the team, and it was a magical ride, to say the least.

The turnaround from worst to first is a feat that very few teams can accomplish at any level in any sport, and the Blue and Gold did so with passion, intensity, and grit. In the spirit of motivational author Jon Gordon, the men were "coffee beans" molding and changing the environment around them, and reviving the excellence that John Carroll men's basketball has so frequently experienced.

Looking ahead, the Blue Streaks will have the spring and summer to improve themselves and build on this year's success, and additionally will be bringing back the majority of their current roster, allowing for further development of chemistry and friendships in the locker room. Needless to say, the Blue Streaks will be back, and the country won't be ready for JCU next season.

On a personal note, I would like to thank everyone for reading my recaps throughout this season. I took great pride and joy in once again writing these, and hope to continue doing so.

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