With the score tied at 68-68 in the final minute of play, John Carroll would have to attempts at winning the game. Pete Moran’s first jumper with 17 seconds left missed its mark, but Jon Franks corralled the rebound setting up another chance. Moran waited until five seconds remained to begin his drive, but he forced a jumper through a double team that drew iron but not net.
John Carroll would rue the missed opportunities. Although the Blue Streaks won the jump ball, two ONU steals on consecutive possessions led to five points, giving the Polar Bears a 73-68 advantage to start overtime. Although JCU would pull to within 73-72, Ohio Northern pulled away by scoring 14 of the final 17 points of the extra period – 11 of which came from the free throw line.
The Polar Bears, who had not won in University Heights since December 16, 2000, surged to a 17-10 lead to start the first period. The Blue Streaks, however, would ultimately charge back thanks to 12-0 run and put JCU up by eight points at a score of 27-19. Ohio Northern stemmed the tide, and trailed by just six points at the half, 34-28.
Although John Carroll briefly gave up its lead at the start of the second half, it quickly regained command and held a 55-46 advantage with 9:10 remaining in the second half. ONU shocked the home crowd with a stunning 14-1 run, keyed by a pair of three-pointers by Nate Leib, that would put the Polar Bears up 60-56 with 5:11 showing.
The Blue Streaks would then lose defensive standout Demetrius Travis to foul outs that seemed to further dim their chances. But a late surge, capped by a Justin Ragor free throw that tied the game at 68-68 with 59 seconds left, set up the final dramatic moments of regulation.
Greg Badenhop, who was scoreless until 9:25 of the second half, led Ohio Northern (8-1, 3-1 OAC) with 19 points – 11 of which were tallied in the overtime. Ryan Lee (16 points) and Bart Hostetler (13) also reached double figures for ONU. The Polar Bears were 37-48 (.771) from the free throw line for the game, including 12-13 (.923) in the extra period.
JCU (6-2, 3-1 OAC), which lost at home for the first time this season and for just the fifth time in its last 45 home games, was paced by Moran. He led all scorers with 21 points in 33 minutes of play. Travis and Derek Smith both tallied 10 points as JCU shot just 24-60 (.400) from the floor – its lowest mark at home since a 58-56 loss to Mount Union on February 2, 2005.
Ohio Northern vs John Carroll 12-17-05 3:00 pm at DeCarlo Varsity Center OHIO NORTHERN 87, JOHN CARROLL 75 OHIO NORTHERN (8-1, 3-1 OAC) Greg Badenhop 3-8 12-14 19; Ryan Lee 7-10 2-2 16; Bart Hostetler 3-4 7-9 13; Kyle Gehle 1-4 7-8 9; Nate Lieb 3-5 0-2 8; Jared Bostelman 1-4 5-6 8; Jake Cannan 2-3 2-2 6; Mike Hunter 2-3 1-3 5; B.J. Theisen 1-2 1-2 3; Loudan Hammersmith 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 23-44 37-48 87. JOHN CARROLL (6-2, 3-1 OAC) Pete Moran 6-18 8-9 21; Derek Smith 4-4 2-4 10; Demetrius Travis 4-6 2-2 10; Jon Franks 3-6 2-5 8; Chris Day 2-4 3-4 7; Justin Ragor 0-7 7-9 7; Tony DeMichele 2-4 1-2 5; Kyle Roggenburk 2-6 0-4 4; John Curran 1-5 0-0 2. Totals 24-60 26-41 75. Ohio Northern..............28 40 19 - 87 John Carroll.................34 34 7 - 75 3-point goals-Ohio Northern 4-15 (Nate Lieb 2-4; Jared Bostelman 1-2; Greg Badenhop 1-6; Kyle Gehle 0-2; B.J. Theisen 0-1), John Carroll 1-12 (Pete Moran 1-5; Justin Ragor 0-4; Tony DeMichele 0-1; John Curran 0-2). Fouled out--Ohio Northern-Nate Lieb; Ryan Lee, John Carroll-Demetrius Travis; Pete Moran; Jon Franks. Rebounds-Ohio Northern 45 (Mike Hunter 9), John Carroll 38 (Demetrius Travis 7; Kyle Roggenburk 7). Assists-Ohio Northern 8 (B.J. Theisen 2; Bart Hostetler 2; Jared Bostelman 2), John Carroll 9 (Kyle Roggenburk 3). Total fouls-Ohio Northern 32, John Carroll 33. A-771