The Blue Streak, clinging to a two-point lead early in the second half, went on a 16-2 run over the next 6:32 to put the game away to advance to Saturday’s championship against host Alvernia. The loss sends Hood to the consolation final where they will meet Rutgers-Camden at 1 p.m.
Santo Provenzano scored a game-high 23 points for Hood and Dennis Tressler chipped in 13 on the strength of three 3’s. Freshman Jonathan Obecny, seeing his first collegiate action, scored nine points and tied Provenzano for the team-lead in rebounds with six.
Brandon Mimes led John Carroll with 18 points and nine boards and John Curran had 12.
Hood trailed 38-31 at the half, but went on a quick 5-0 run to open the second stanza on a few free throws and a jumper by Sean Robine to cut its deficit to 38-36. John Carroll, however, regrouped and held Hood to just two points over the next seven minutes.
The Blazers were hurt by ineffective free throw shooting all night, going just 12-for-29, and committed 27 turnovers against the Blue Streak pressure defense. John Carroll, which advanced to the NCAA Division III Final Four last year and finished third in the country, also held a solid 56-42 rebounding edge, including hauling in 27 offensive boards.