Springfield, OH - Despite all 5 starters scoring in double digits, for the first time this season the Blue Streaks suffered defeat as they fell to the Wittenberg Tigers 80-79 in their conference opener.

Kyle Irwin and Kasey Hunt got John Carroll going early with a quick 7-2 lead. The Tigers responded with a 9-0 run to gain themselves a lead. Two minutes later Irwin's second three of the game had the Blue Streaks right back in front. Another three, this time from Brandon Rose pushed the lead to seven with just under 10 minutes left in the first half.

Over the next four minutes and change, Wittenberg utilized a 13-0 run to regain the lead and push their advantage to seven. The teams exchanged scores heading into half but a pair of Aidan Fitzgerald threes had the Blue Streaks trailing by just 6 heading into the break.

John Carroll came out of the break refreshed as they quickly came back and had retaken the lead in less than 4 minutes. Triples by Irwin and Jack Zapolnik got the Blue Streak lead right back to seven.

From there neither team was able to pull away, the Blue Streaks lead got as big as, nine but the Tigers never let it get bigger as they began to climb back toward a lead of their own. 

After the two teams continued to battle the Tigers managed to tie it up with just over three minutes to go. Another three from Fitzgerald on the following possession quickly had the Blue Streaks back in front. 

The Tigers made a pair of free throws on each of their next two possessions to take control and hold a one-point lead with under two minutes to go. A Luke Chicone free throw on the possession immediately after had the game all tied up. 

After over a minute of no scoring the Tigers got an offensive rebound and put it right back up and in for the lead with 28 seconds to go. An acrobatic move by Chicone tied the game back up with 8 seconds left but a shooting foul at the other end would give the Tigers two free throws with three seconds to go. After going ½ they had the lead. The Blue Streaks managed to get an open look coming out of a timeout but the shot was unable to fall as the Tigers stormed the court and John Carroll left with a heartbreaking one point loss. 

Chicone led the Streaks in scoring with 21. 

Fitzgerald had an impressive day from behind the arc, going 3/4 from three en route to a 13 point day.

Up Next
The Blue Streaks return home next Saturday as they welcome Wabash College. Tip-off set for 2:05 pm.