UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, Ohio — For the second time this season Marietta College pushed No. 1 ranked John Carroll University to the brink only to fall short in the end. The Blue Streaks held on for an 82-77 win Saturday (Feb. 10) afternoon in Ohio Athletic Conference men's basketball action.  Marietta moves to 14-9 overall and 8-8 in the OAC, while John Carroll improves to 22-1 overall and 16-0 in the OAC.
 
After Frank Waganfeald scored the first basket of the game for the Pioneers, John Carroll responded with 10 straight points and never trailed again in the game. The Blue Streaks led by as many as 25 points and took a 19-point lead, 42-23, into halftime.
 
Marietta opened the second half with a layup from Waganfeald and three-pointers from Jac Alexander and David Sanford. Following two free throws for the Blue Streaks, Waganfeald hit a three-pointer cutting the deficit to 10 points, 44-34, less than two minutes into the second half.
 
The Pioneers continued to chip away at the JCU lead. A dunk from Sahmi Wiloughby at the 8:24 mark made it a two-point game, 63-61. Back-to-back triples from Cooper Parrott tied the game, 69-69, with 5:22 left on the clock.
 
John Carroll answered with eight straight points over the next three minutes for a 77-69 lead. Marietta closed to within three points, 77-74, on a layup from De'Ovion Price, but couldn't get any closer as the Blue Streaks escaped with the victory.
 
Price led the Pioneers with 22 points. Alexander finished with 11 points, while Sanford and Parrott had nine points each.
 
Luke Chicone scored a game-high 26 points for the Blue Streaks. Luke Frazier buried four three-pointers and finished with 22 points. Luka Eller added 11 points.
 
Marietta returns home to host No. 18 Mount Union on Wednesday (Feb. 14). Tip-off in Ban Johnson Arena is set for 7:00 p.m.