UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, Ohio – No. 25 John Carroll women's basketball team shot 51.5 percent from the floor and 80.0 percent to defeat Penn State Behrend 88-66 in non-conference action on Monday afternoon.
With just a seven-point lead at halftime, Emily Taylor and Katlyn Spahar caught fire for the Blue Streaks (10-1) in the second half. Taylor scored 15 of her 17, while Spahar registered 12 of her 18 points in the final 20 minutes of play, giving John Carroll its fourth straight win.
Ally Burke (Erie, PA/Mercyhurst Prep) posted her third 30-point game this season with a game-high 30 points. She tallied 12 points from the charity stripe, only missing once from the line. Erika Woll (Erie, PA/Mercyhurst) added 12 points and six rebounds for the Lions (0-11).
In Behrend's first game against a nationally-ranked opponent this season, the Lions had the lead on the Blue Streaks with 4:47 remaining in the first half after Burke drained a pair of free throws to make it 23-21.
John Carroll responded with three consecutive field goals, including a pair of three pointers by Taylor and a layup from Beth Switzler to force a Behrend timeout at 29-23. After the break, Taylor picked up where she left off with another triple to give the Blue Streaks a nine-point lead.
Spahar scored the final four points for JCU, while Burke recorded a traditional three-point play with two seconds left for a 38-31 at intermission.
The Blue Streaks opened the second half on a 16-4 run to put the Lions out of reach. The difference in the game was JCU scoring 34 points off turnovers and holding a 52-28 edge on points in the paint.
Brittany Kiger (White Oak, PA/McKeesport) and Sadie Zielinski (Harborcreek, PA/Harbor Creek) each scored nine points for the Lions in the loss.
Behrend returns to action on Saturday at Franciscan. Game time is set for 2 p.m.