The younger Moran scored a game-high 26 points to go along with a game-high eight assists and five steals to lead the Blue Streaks to a 97-76 victory over visiting Marietta College this afternoon at the DeCarlo Varsity Center.
The Pioneers were out to spoil the party by making 14 of their first 21 shots from the field, including six of nine from three point range. Marietta led by as many as eight points (39-31) with 4:31 remaining in the first half before its jets began to cool. John Carroll would close the half on a 17-5 run to take a 48-44 advantage into the locke room, having survived a lofty shooting half (.577 field goal percentage) by Marietta.
Pete Moran, who scored 10 of JCU’s first 13 points of the first half, started off hot in the second. He scored John Carroll’s first seven points off of two jumpers and three made shots from the charity stripe, then had assist on consecutive Kyle Roggenburk lay-ups that put JCU up 59-47 with 16:42 remaining.
Marietta would knock the lead down to 63-55 at the 14:25 mark, but John Carroll scored the next eight points to put the game out of reach.
In addition to Moran’s 26 points, eight assists and five steals, John Carroll (11-6, 7-3 OAC) received 14 points, five rebounds and five assists from Chris Day. Kyle Roggenburk and Demetrius Travis both scored 12 points, while Jon Franks contributed 10 points, seven rebounds and six assists.
Marietta (3-14, 0-10 OAC), which dropped its seventh straight contest, was led by 16 points from Craig Stewart, who was 5-8 from three-point range. Steve Luckhardt and Isaiah Creasap each posted 12 points for the Pioneers, who were just 8-28 (.286) from the field in the second half after a sizzling first 20 minutes.
Moran’s record now stands at 250-126 in 14 seasons with John Carroll. He has guided the Blue Streaks to six Ohio Athletic Conference regular season titles, two OAC Tournament championships, and seven NCAA playoff appearances. His 2003-04 team finished third in the nation and set a school record with 27 victories.
Marietta College vs John Carroll 01-21-06 3:00 pm at University Heights, OH JOHN CARROLL 97, MARIETTA COLLEGE 76 MARIETTA COLLEGE (3-14, 0-10 OAC) Craig Stewart 5-10 1-1 16; Isaiah Creasap 4-8 0-0 12; Steve Luckhardt 5-8 1-3 12; Matt Phillips 2-4 5-7 11; Matthew Rucker 4-6 1-2 9; Colby Reese 2-3 3-4 7; Chad Sponseller 1-4 2-2 4; Ryan Wilkinson 0-4 2-2 2; Andrew Good 0-1 2-3 2; Seth Amburgey 0-2 0-0 0; Matt Rumer 0-2 0-0 0; Adam Rockhold 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 23-54 18-27 76. JOHN CARROLL (11-6, 7-3 OAC) Pete Moran 9-12 4-4 26; Chris Day 5-13 2-5 14; Kyle Roggenburk 6-9 0-0 12; Demetrius Travis 4-11 3-4 12; Jon Franks 3-4 4-6 10; Derek Smith 3-5 3-4 9; John Curran 3-7 0-0 6; Nick Haller 1-1 0-0 3; Luke Powers 1-1 0-0 2; Ryan Riggs 1-2 0-0 2; Rory O'Neil 0-2 1-2 1; Joe Kimener 0-3 0-0 0; Justin Ragor 0-4 0-0 0; Tony DeMichele 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 36-76 17-25 97. Marietta College.............. 44 32 - 76 John Carroll.................. 48 49 - 97 3-point goals-Marietta College 12-25 (Craig Stewart 5-8; Isaiah Creasap 4-7; Matt Phillips 2-3; Steve Luckhardt 1-1; Ryan Wilkinson 0-1; Andrew Good 0-1; Seth Amburgey 0-1; Matt Rumer 0-2; Chad Sponseller 0-1), John Carroll 8-19 (Pete Moran 4-5; Chris Day 2-5; Demetrius Travis 1-1; Nick Haller 1-1; John Curran 0-2; Rory O'Neil 0-1; Joe Kimener 0-1; Justin Ragor 0-2; Tony DeMichele 0-1). Fouled out--Marietta College-None, John Carroll-None. Rebounds-Marietta College 30 (Craig Stewart 6), John Carroll 50 (Kyle Roggenburk 9). Assists-Marietta College 13 (Steve Luckhardt 5; Ryan Wilkinson 5), John Carroll 24 (Pete Moran 8). Total fouls-Marietta College 20, John Carroll 21. A-712 Mike Moran wins 250th game as JCU head coach