Thanks to an 8-2 start, Heidelberg led the majority of the first half. Eventually, the sharp shooting of Jerry Angel and dominating play of David Gibbons would get the Streaks back in it. Angel had two of John Carroll four three-pointers in the first half, including one with 6:38 remaining to give JCU their first lead at 18-17.
Angel and Gibbons combined for 19 of the Blue Streaks' 26 first half points. Gibbons' connected with a lay-up and got the foul to tie the game with 56 seconds to go. He then sank the free throw to put JCU up 26-25 heading into intermission.
The Blue Streaks turned up the heat on both ends in the second half. What had been a close game quickly turned into a nine point John Carroll lead with 12:38 remaining after Andrew Salata converted a free throw. Minutes later, Gibbons made a jumper to push the lead into double figures at 45-34 with 9:55 to play.
If Heidelberg had any thought of climbing back into the game, those were dashed by a 12-2 Blue Streaks run that started with a three-pointer by Angel with 7:01 to play and ended with a Gibbons lay-up at the 4:07 mark.. The Blue Streaks at one point pushed the lead to 31 after Brandon Mimes connected on a dunk with just over a minute to play before settling on the 27-point final margin.
John Carroll (20-5) was led by Angel, who finished the night with 21 points and four steals. He shot 3-6 from three-point range and 4-4 behind the free throw line. Gibbons chipped in 20 points and six rebounds as the Blue Streaks won their 26th consecutive home game. After the dismal shooting effort in the first half (10-42, .238), the Blue Streaks were much better over the final 20 minutes (16-29, .552).
For Heidelberg (6-21), Kenny Gilbert led the way with 14 points. Lucas Messer added nine points and eight rebounds in the final game of his career. Heidelberg's second half shooting performance (6-23, .261) was much like that of John Carroll's in the first period.
John Carroll will advance to the OAC semifinals where they will host fourth seed Ohio Northern (19-7) as part of the "Final Four" to be held at the DeCarlo Varsity Center.
The Blue Streaks and the Polar Bears split their regular season series, each winning on their own floor. JCU defeated ONU 73-70 in University Heights on January 10, while the Polar Bears knocked off the Blue Streaks 74-72 in Ada on February 14.
The John Carroll-Ohio Northern game will be held at 8:00 pm, following the 6:00 semifinal between sixth-seeded Mount Union (17-9) and second-seeded Otterbein (20-6).
OAC Men's Basketball Tournament - Quarterfinal Round Heidelberg vs John Carroll 02/25/04 7:30 pm at DeCarlo Varsity Center University Hts., Ohio JOHN CARROLL 73, HEIDELBERG 46 HEIDELBERG (6-21) Kenny Gilbert 4-12 4-6 14; Lucas Messer 3-11 3-3 9; Kyle Tackett 2-3 2-2 6; Ron Higgins 2-5 2-3 6; Andy Carter 2-4 0-0 4; Tommy Wade 1-2 0-0 2; T.J. Johnson 1-4 0-0 2; Josh Dickey 1-1 0-0 2; Mike Stull 0-1 1-2 1; Nolan Edwards 0-5 0-0 0; Scott Morrison 0-1 0-0 0; Adam Bargar 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 16-50 12-16 46. JOHN CARROLL (20-5) Jerry Angel 7-16 4-4 21; David Gibbons 9-14 2-3 20; Pete Moran 4-7 1-2 10; Brandon Mimes 2-5 4-5 8; Andrew Salata 2-4 1-2 5; Matthew Moran 1-6 2-2 4; Michael Grogan 1-7 0-0 3; Chris Day 0-2 0-0 0; Justin Ragor 0-2 0-0 0; Peter Koch 0-7 0-0 0; Demetrius Travis 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 26-71 16-20 73. Heidelberg.................... 25 21 - 46 John Carroll.................. 26 47 - 73 3-point goals-Heidelberg 2-18 (Kenny Gilbert 2-7; Lucas Messer 0-1; Kyle Tackett 0-1; Andy Carter 0-2; Tommy Wade 0-1; T.J. Johnson 0-2; Mike Stull 0-1; Nolan Edwards 0-2; Scott Morrison 0-1), John Carroll 5-18 (Jerry Angel 3-6; Michael Grogan 1-3; Pete Moran 1-2; Matthew Moran 0-1; Justin Ragor 0-2; Peter Koch 0-3; David Gibbons 0-1). Fouled out--Heidelberg-None, John Carroll-None. Rebounds-Heidelberg 36 (Lucas Messer 8; Ron Higgins 8), John Carroll 48 (Pete Moran 8). Assists-Heidelberg 7 (Nolan Edwards 2; Kenny Gilbert 2), John Carroll 9 (Pete Moran 4). Total fouls-Heidelberg 19, John Carroll 17. A-1250 #1 seed John Carroll advances to semifinal round -- will host #4 seed Ohio Northern #2 seed Otterbein faces #6 seed Mount Union in first semifinal (6 pm) followed by JCU vs. ONU (8 pm)