The victory was John Carroll’s 30th consecutive win at home, dating back to the 2001-2002 season.
After a tight first eight minutes of the first half, #8 ranked John Carroll (according to the latest D3hoops.com national poll) threatened to run away with the game. Using a 26-12 run, the host Blue Streaks took a 35-21 lead with 3:57 to play on a Demetrius Travis lay-up.
Heidelberg, who last year nearly halted JCU’s long home winning streak (an 80-79 loss on Jan. 7, 2004 in University Heights), would not go quietly into the night. The Student Princes scored 13 of the final 17 points of the half, cutting JCU’s lead to four points at 38-34 heading into the locker room.
The visitors continued to cut into the JCU lead top open the second half, and when T. J. Johnson converted the second of two free throws, the Student Princes trailed by just a single point, 38-37, with 19:21 left to play.
Over the next ten minutes, however, the Blue Streaks made certain there would be no repeat of last season’s nail-biter. A 29-13 run by John Carroll, in which seven different players scored, would seal the win. Koch and Travis had six points each in the decisive stretch, as Heidelberg would not get closer than 13 points the remainder of the contest.
John Carroll (6-0, 2-0 OAC) was led by Koch’s 19 points, while Travis contributed a career-high 14 points. Also in double figures were Brandon Mimes (14), Pete Moran (13) and Michael Grogan (10). JCU shot 21-34 (.618) in the second half and 36-69 (.522) for the game from the field.
Heidelberg (3-4, 1-1 OAC) was led by 14 points apiece from Ron Higgins and Kenny Gilbert. Johnson added 13 for the Student Princes, who lost their eighth consecutive game to JCU in this series.
Heidelberg vs John Carroll 12/08/04 7:30 pm at Tony DeCarlo Varsity Center JOHN CARROLL 92, HEIDELBERG 72 HEIDELBERG (3-4, 1-1 OAC) Kenny Gilbert 5-13 4-5 14; Ron Higgins 6-11 2-2 14; T.J. Johnson 4-8 4-7 13; Brian Schmidt 4-7 2-6 10; Shawn Shriver 2-6 0-0 5; Andrew Lemmon 2-6 0-0 4; Greg Tyson 2-4 0-0 4; Scott Morrison 1-4 0-0 3; Mike Stull 1-4 0-0 3; Josh Dickey 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 27-64 14-22 72. JOHN CARROLL (6-0, 2-0 OAC) Peter Koch 8-13 2-4 19; Demetrius Travis 7-9 0-0 14; Brandon Mimes 5-10 4-9 14; Pete Moran 5-8 3-3 13; Michael Grogan 3-9 2-3 10; John Curran 1-4 6-6 8; Andrew Salata 3-6 0-0 6; Justin Ragor 2-4 0-0 4; Rory O'Neil 1-2 0-0 2; Kyle Roggenburk 1-3 0-0 2; Taurell Bush 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 36-69 17-26 92. Heidelberg.................... 34 38 - 72 John Carroll.................. 38 54 - 92 3-point goals-Heidelberg 4-19 (T.J. Johnson 1-4; Mike Stull 1-2; Scott Morrison 1-4; Shawn Shriver 1-3; Greg Tyson 0-1; Andrew Lemmon 0-1; Ron Higgins 0-1; Kenny Gilbert 0-3), John Carroll 3-12 (Michael Grogan 2-8; Peter Koch 1-1; John Curran 0-2; Justin Ragor 0-1). Fouled out--Heidelberg-Josh Dickey, John Carroll-None. Rebounds-Heidelberg 35 (Kenny Gilbert 7), John Carroll 47 (Demetrius Travis 8). Assists-Heidelberg 6 (Kenny Gilbert 2), John Carroll 20 (Brandon Mimes 5). Total fouls-Heidelberg 19, John Carroll 25.