The John Carroll Women’s Basketball team hosted three Ohio Athletic Conference Tournament games this past week at the Tony DeCarlo Varsity Center. 

On Tuesday, Feb. 22, the Blue Streaks defeated Wilmington College 79-64, and on Thursday, Feb. 24, they defeated Ohio Northern University 64-50, earning them their fourth consecutive OAC Championship game, and third time hosting in four years.

Unfortunately, for the second time in three years, the D3hoops.com No. 12 Blue Streaks fell to No. 14 Baldwin Wallace Yellow Jackets 60-50 on Saturday, Feb. 26.

The lady Blue Streaks had a hard fought game early against Wilmington on Tuesday for the first half, as they only led by six at halftime. However, behind Olivia Nagy’s 22 rebounds and graduate student Nicole Heffington’s 23 points, the Blue Streaks overcame 22 turnovers to win by 15 over the Fightin’ Quakers. 

Nagy’s rebounds broke the John Carroll single season rebounding record, while Heffington broke the career field goals made record Tuesday night as well. Heffington was nine points away from becoming the all time leading scorer in school history going into the Semifinals on Thursday. 

Thursday night felt very similar to Tuesday. The Blue Streaks fought hard, but the Polar Bears were within a possession or two almost the whole game. 

JCU finally pulled away behind Nagy’s triple double, the fourth of her career and second in three games. Heffington broke the career points record in the second quarter, hitting three 3-pointers on her way to 19 points and five 3-pointers on the night. 

“This record means a lot to me,” said Heffington. “But getting the win was more important. I am so thankful for my teammates and everyone who has made this possible.”

Unfortunately, in the final minute, Heffington sustained an injury and was forced to miss the OAC Championship Saturday against Baldwin Wallace.

On Saturday, Heffington was honored during the pregame dressed in uniform with John Carroll’s Head Coach Beth Andrews and Athletic Director Michelle Morgan for becoming the program’s all-time leading scorer, but she remained in a walking boot, unable to play for the first game in her five-year career. 

In the championship game, the Blue Streaks were going up against the OAC’s leading scorer and MVP, Lily Edwards. Going into Saturday, the Blue Streaks had not lost as the No. 1 seed in the OAC Tournament in school history. While the Blue Streaks defeated Baldwin Wallace both times in the regular season, this game had higher stakes: an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. 

The Blue Streaks came into the game 1-1 in OAC title games against the Yellow Jackets, but due to COVID-19, neither team could compete in the NCAA Tournament last year. 

The game started off as a much anticipated defensive battle. The teams were tied 10-10 in a jam packed Tony DeCarlo Center, with a rowdy student section and a strong BW fanbase that made the trip across town. Nagy had a strong first half, but JCU couldn’t get much going offensively. The absence of Heffington showed from the minute the game started. 

The teams were tied 22-22 at the half. During the second quarter, Nagy grabbed her fourth rebound of the game to break the career rebounds record. 

“It means a lot to me,” said Nagy. “Scoring points is great, but being able to get those rebounds shows how important defense is a part of the game.”

The second half would go on to be dominated by the Yellow Jackets, as Edwards hit a buzzer-beating three to give them a 40-32 going into the fourth quarter. Edwards would finish with 27 points, earning her way to OAC Tournament MVP. 

John Carroll would go on a run to force a Yellow Jacket timeout with the score 50-47 Baldwin Wallace, but the banged up Blue Streaks could not make it any closer, as Baldwin Wallace pulled away to win 60-50 on JCU’s home court. 

Nagy shined with 20 points, but the Blue Streaks did not have another player in double figures, as the Yellow Jackets’ defense stifled their offense. 

Heffington and Nagy’s performances throughout the tournament were honored with spots on the OAC All-Tournament team.

Despite a tough loss at home, on Monday, Feb. 28, John Carroll was rewarded on their 22-4 season by getting an at-large bid into the NCAA DIII Women’s Basketball Tournament.

They will play Elizabethtown College in the first round hosted by Trine University in Angola, Indiana. The Blue Streaks will play Friday, March 4 and a time that will be determined at a later date.