The Muskingum men's basketball team stunned Ohio Athletic Conference foe John Carroll 99-95 in exciting fashion to claim their best start since the 1972-73 season.

The Basics

• Records: Muskingum (5-0 overall, 1-0 OAC), John Carroll (1-4 overall, 0-1 OAC)
• Location: New Concord, Ohio - Anne C. Steele Center

First Half

• The Blue Streaks took the early advantage as a jump shot from Ryan Berger capped off an 11-2 run with 17:06 to play.
• Muskingum claimed its first lead of the contest, 13-11, at the 14:20 mark following an 11-0 run led by freshman Marcus Dempsey.
• The two teams exchanged points for several minutes before back-to-back three-pointers from sophomore Devon Peart gave Muskingum its largest lead of the half 50-39 with 1:36 to play.
• The Muskies surrendered just two points in the final minute of action to take the 52-41 halftime advantage.
• Dempsey led Muskingum with 13 points and three rebounds.
• Senior Rickey Wilson and Peart both added 11 points.
• Muskingum shot 16-for-33 (.485) from the field and 9-for-21 (.429) from behind the arc.
• Berger led the Blue Streaks with 12 points.
• John Carroll connected on 18-for-38 (.474) from the field.

Second Half

• John Carroll opened the second half with a 10-0 run to take the 53-52 lead with 17:01 to play.
• The Muskies responded with a 9-0 run as sophomore Jarrell Marsh netted five straight points en route to the 70-65 advantage with 9:32 remaining.
• Berger used an old fashion three-point play at the 7:46 mark to once again put the Blue Streaks on top 73-72.
• Marsh continued his hot shooting as he went a perfect 4-for-4 from the free throw line to grab the 79-77 Muskingum lead late in the half.
• The Blue Streaks came charging back as a layup by David Linane, Jr. tied the game at 83-83 forcing a Muskie timeout.
• In front of an electric crowd, Dempsey connected from downtown to tie the contest at 88-88 with 2:11 remaining.
• Sophomore Jalen Paige and Dempsey sunk John Carroll at the free-throw line in the final seconds as they shot a perfect 6-for-6 to claim the victory.
• The second half saw 10 lead changes.
• Marsh led the way with 16 points, shooting 4-for-4 from the free throw line.
• Peart finished with eight points and four steals.
• Muskingum shot 13-for-26 (.500) from the field and 17-for-19 (.895) from the free throw line.
• John Carroll was led by Simon Kucharewicz with 16 points.

Post Game

• Dempsey posted a career-high 22 points, while Marsh poured in 22 points and pulled down five rebounds.
• Peart also had a career day as he finished with 19 points and collected a game-high five steals.
• Wilson chipped in 15 points, while junior Jacob Geller added 10 points for the Muskies.
• Muskingum shot 29-for-59 (.492) from the field and 28-for-32 (.875) from the free throw line.
• John Carroll finished with four players in double figures.
• Kucharewicz led the way with a double-double scoring 24 points and grabbing 11 rebounds.
• Berger added 21 points, while Linane, Jr. connected for 15 points and Doug Caputo collected 10 points.
• The Blue Streaks shot 39-for-77 (.506) from the field.

Up Next 

• Muskingum returns to action Thursday, December 8 at Capital. Game time is scheduled for 7:00 PM.