CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Case Western Reserve University men's basketball team saw its seven-game win streak snapped in an 86-74 loss to John Carroll University in the championship game of the 2011 Bill Sudeck Holiday Tournament on Friday afternoon at Horsburgh Gymnasium.
The Spartans conclude the non-conference portion of the schedule at 8-3 overall and will return to action at home on Saturday, January 7 in the 2012 University Athletic Association opener versus rival Carnegie Mellon University (Pa.) at 5:00 p.m.
John Carroll forced 34 turnovers on its way to improving to 8-2.
Trailing 7-2 early on, the Spartans reeled off seven in a row and led 9-7 when senior forward Tom Summers (Murrysville, Pa./Franklin Regional) nailed a jumper at 16:02. The Blue Streaks came back quickly and outscored Case 17-4 over the next 7:28, moving ahead 24-13 as Mark Hester completed an old-fashioned three-point play with 9:34 left in the half. The Spartans responded with an 8-3 run to briefly get within six, at 27-21, when Summers hit another jumper at 5:39, but the Blue Streaks were able to answer with an 11-2 run en route to building a 46-33 lead at halftime.
In the second half, the Blue Streaks started strong and saw their lead grow to as many as 19. The Spartans chipped away and got to within seven, at 64-57, when junior guard Robert Scott (Paoli, Pa./Conestoga) drilled a long triple with 9:35 left to play. Unfortunately, the Blue Streaks were able to withstand the Spartan rally and eventually pulled away, handing Case its first loss since November 19.
For the game, Summers totaled a double-double of 17 points and 12 rebounds, earning all-tournament team honors for his play this weekend. Junior forward Austin Fowler (Farmington Hills, Mich./Birmingham Brother Rice) added 13 points and six boards.
JCU was led by tourney MVP Corey Shontz with 19 points, six assists and six steals.
In the consolation game, Waynesburg defeated Regis by a final tally of 64-56 in overtime. Landing spots on the all-tournament team were Larry Alexander for Waynesburg and Lewis Smith for Regis.