UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, Ohio – The Kenyon College men's basketball team ran into a hot-shooting night from John Carroll University on Saturday, as the Owls dropped a 98-72 decision in conference play. First-year
Will McDonald paced Kenyon with 18 points, his second-highest scoring output of the season, knocking down a game-high six 3-pointers to go with five rebounds and an assist.
With the result, Kenyon moved to 10-12 overall and 4-9 in North Coast Athletic Conference play, while JCU improved to 17-5 overall and 9-4 in the league.
The Blue Streaks jumped out quickly, opening the game on a 9-0 run behind a pair of early three-pointers. Kenyon eventually found its footing midway through the half, as senior
Nick Nelson broke the scoring drought with a layup before McDonald connected on his first triple of the day to trim the deficit.
John Carroll answered with another surge, pushing the lead to double figures behind strong interior play and second-chance opportunities. McDonald sparked a brief response late in the half, drilling back-to-back three-pointers, while Jack Corrigan-Connaty added a triple of his own to keep the Owls within striking distance. However, a late JCU run sent Kenyon into the locker room trailing 51-30 at the break.
The Owls opened the second half with renewed energy, as first-year
Nicholas Graves scored inside and McDonald knocked down another three to cut the margin to 18. The Owls continued to trade baskets, with McDonald later burying his fourth and fifth triples of the contest as Kenyon looked to chip away from the perimeter.
Each time the Owls gained momentum, the Blue Streaks responded. John Carroll capitalized on fast-break chances and offensive rebounds to rebuild a commanding cushion, stretching the lead past 25 midway through the half. Graves added timely buckets in transition, while
Marius Mazeika converted at the free-throw line to steady Kenyon's offense.
Down the stretch, McDonald capped his night with two more three-pointers, giving him six on the afternoon and accounting for 18 of Kenyon's points. First-year
Hudson Fuller also knocked down a late triple as the Owls continued to compete through the final horn.
Kenyon finished 23-for-70 (32.9%) from the floor and 14-for-39 (35.9 percent) from beyond the arc, while JCU shot 38-for-87 (43.7%) overall and 11-for-32 (34.4 percent) from deep. Both teams were efficient at the free-throw line, Kenyon went 12-for-14 (85.7 percent), and the Blue Streaks were a perfect 11-for-11. The Blue Streaks owned a 54-37 rebounding advantage and finished with a 54-18 margin in points in the paint, while also turning 18 Kenyon turnovers into 15 points.
Graves added 16 points for the Owls, going 4-for-4 at the stripe while tying for a team-high seven rebounds and dishing four assists. Mazeika rounded out Kenyon's double-figure scorers with 12 points, including a 5-for-5 effort at the line, plus three boards and two assists.
Up next, the Owls return home for another NCAC clash, hosting Wittenberg University on Wednesday, February 11, with tipoff set for 8 p.m.
