MARIETTA, Ohio — No. 9 ranked John Carroll University defeated Marietta College by the score of 95-73 Saturday (Dec. 17) afternoon in Ohio Athletic Conference men's basketball action. The Pioneers fall to 6-3 overall and 3-1 in the OAC, while the Blue Streaks improve to 8-1 on the season and 3-1 in conference play.
 
Cooper Parrott nailed a three-pointer on Marietta's opening possession of the game to give the Pioneers what would be their only lead of the afternoon. John Carroll answered with nine straight points and never trailed again.
 
A fastbreak layup from Jerry Higgins extended the JCU lead to 13 points, 20-7, six minutes into the game. Marietta responded with an 8-0 run cutting the deficit to five, 20-15. A four-point play from Jac Alexander capped the Pioneer drive. Alexander was fouled on a three-pointer that was on target and converted the free throw.
 
John Carroll gradually increased its lead and three-pointer from Higgins with 4:20 left in the first half made it a 20-point game, 48-28. The Blue Streaks led 53-37 at halftime.
 
Marietta scored the first five points of the second half to get within 11 points, 53-42. David Sanford hit a three-pointer to open the period and Brennen Crawford added a jumper for the quick 5-0 spurt.
 
The Blue Streaks scored the next nine points of the game pushing the margin back to 20 points, 62-42, four minutes into the half. John Carroll maintained a 15-point lead over the next several minutes and eventually extended the margin to 25 points where it stayed for the final five minutes of the game.
 
Sanford led the Pioneers with 23 points. He was 8-of-16 from the floor and connected on three shots from behind the arc. Sahmi Willoughby finished with 12 points and a game-high six rebounds.
 
Luke Chicone led four Blue Streaks in double figures with 23 points. He also dished out 11 assists. Higgins finished with 19 points, including three triples. Chase Toppin added 13 points, while Luke Frazier chipped in with 11.
 
Marietta is off until Thursday (Dec. 29) when the Pioneers take on Bates College at the Florida Sunshine Shootout in Daytona Beach, Florida.