UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS , Ohio (March 4) – After holding a narrow halftime lead, the Saint Vincent men's basketball team dropped a 99-85 decision to #5 ranked John Carroll University in the NCAA Division III Tournament First Round.
 
The loss ends the Bearcats' season at 22-7 overall for the third straight season. Meanwhile, the Blue Streaks improved to 26-3 overall and advance to host Alma College in the Second Round tomorrow evening at the DeCarlo Center.
 
Both teams got off to a quick start offensively, as Pat Jones scored the first four points of the game to give SVC a 4-3 lead just a few moments into the game.
 
SVC then started building a lead as a Jones layup made it 12-5 Bearcats, capping an 8-0 run for Saint Vincent.
 
After a three-point ball by John Carroll, the Bearcats answered with a three-pointer of their own by Dan Sinwell after a hustle play kept the possession alive. The Sinwell trey made it 15-8 Bearcats.
 
After three straight points by the Blue Streaks, SVC used a mini-run of 6-2, which included a trey by Jaylon Bell. The run helped the Bearcats build a 21-13 advantage, the largest of the first half for the visitors.
 
JCU went on an 11-2 run to regain the lead at 24-23 with 8:23 to play in the opening half. Senior guard Ben Klimchock knocked down a three-pointer to push SVC back into a lead at 26-24.
 
The pace then continued to quicken as the Blue Streaks got another three-pointer by OAC Tournament MVP David Linane, giving JCU a 27-26 advantage at the 8:11 mark.
 
The Bearcats answered the bell, coming right back with a three by JC Howard and a pair of free throws by Jones, giving SVC a 31-27 lead.
 
After a John Carroll basket, Bell knocked down another three to push the lead to 34-29 in favor of Saint Vincent. The trey was the sixth in eight attempts to that point for the Bearcats.
 
Another run, which included back-to-back layups, brought JCU within one again at 37-36 at the final media timeout of the opening half of play.
 
The Blue Streaks regained the lead again with a layup, making it 38-37 at the 2:55 mark. The Blue Streaks added another basket to take their biggest lead of the half at 42-38.
 
However, the Bearcats remained poised, closing the half on a 7-2 run, taking a 45-44 edge into the halftime break.
 
Saint Vincent used a balanced first half effort, being led a 10-point and four rebound effort from Jones. Howard and Bell each added eight points for the Bearcats over the first 20 minutes. Linane led JCU with 10 points and four assists.
 
Both teams shot the ball well, as JCU made 51.4 percent on field goals, while SVC converted 48.3 percent from the field. SVC converted 6 of 10 three-pointers in the opening half.
 
John Carroll opened the half with a 9-2 run over the first 4:11 of the second half, taking their largest lead of the game at 54-47.
 
JCU continued to keep SVC at an arm's length before pushing the lead into double digits for the first time in the game, at 72-62 with 8:56 to play.
 
From there the homestanding Blue Streaks built the lead to as many as 17 points, gaining a 91-74 lead with 3:57 to play.
 
However, Saint Vincent didn't quit, using an 8-1 run to draw the deficit within 10 points at 92-82 but they could get no closer.
 
Jones led the Bearcat charge in his final game, pouring in a team-high 23 points in his final game in a Bearcat uniform. JC Howard chipped in 15 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Klimchock added 14 points off the bench, while Bell tacked on 10 points and a team-best seven rebounds.
 
John Carroll was led by Simon Kucharewicz, who scored a team-best 19 points and was 9-of-10 from the field. The Blue Streaks had six players score in double figures. JCU converted 53.6 percent from the field, including nine three-pointers.
 
SVC shot 46.7 percent from the field, including 43.5 percent from behind the arc.
 
The Bearcat senior class finished an 89-27 record, including a 49-7 home record at the Carey Center. The group won four PAC Tournament titles and three regular season championships.