DELAWARE, Ohio – The 9th/7th-ranked Ohio Wesleyan University women's basketball team hosted 
10th/11th-ranked John Carroll on Wednesday evening for a pivotal top-10 NCAC showdown. The Battling Bishops trailed by 14 late in the third quarter, but rallied to take the lead in the fourth before ultimately settling for overtime. The Blue Streaks controlled the extra period, eventually snapping the Bishops' 16-game win streak with a final of 70-65. 

Ohio Wesleyan slips to 17-2 overall, and 8-1 in NCAC competition. John Carroll improves to 18-2, with a 7-2 mark in conference play.

The Red and Black got off to a slow start, shooting just 22.0% from the field in the opening quarter to fall behind JCU, 16-10. The Blue Streaks extended their first-quarter advantage early in the second, pushing the lead to 21-10 over the Bishops. OWU found its rhythm moments later, rattling off 10 unanswered points to bring them back within striking distance. The two squads traded baskets in the remaining minutes, and John Carroll carried a narrow 26-24 lead into the break.

The battle continued well into the second half until the Blue Streaks pieced together a 9-0 run, building a 45-31 advantage with less than three minutes remaining in the third. The Red and Black clawed back in the final minutes of the frame, shrinking the gap to 47-41 heading into the fourth. The OWU offense ignited in the final period, unleashing a 12-2 run to reclaim the lead for the first time since the opening minutes. Kendall Dieringer provided the spark, accounting for five points during the surge to put OWU ahead 55-53. With 1:23 remaining, Maddie Ebbert sank a free throw to knot the score at 56. Neither side could connect in the remaining time, forcing extra time to decide a victor between the two squads.

In the overtime period, John Carroll soared ahead with a 9-2 run, leading the Bishops 65-58 with 2:18 on the clock. The Red and Black mounted a final charge to pull within three on a Dieringer bucket with 36 seconds left, but the comeback stalled there. John Carroll held on in the closing seconds, handing the Bishops a 70-65 overtime defeat.

THE NUMBERS
The Bishops shot 34.2% from the field, going 25-for-73. OWU went 6-of-15 from behind the arc, and 9-for-12 at the charity stripe.

Kendall Dieringer led the Bishop offense with 13 points, nine of which came from three. She added two assists, two rebounds and two steals. 

Katie Neuhart was next with 12 points and eight rebounds. 

Maddie Ebbert finished with 10 points, eight rebounds, and two assists. 

Alyssa Griner recorded her fourth career double-double with 10 points and tied her career-high with 12 rebounds. 

Mia Guscoff had nine points via three triples, and two rebounds. 

Carly Lehman scored five points, grabbed four rebounds and made two steals. 

Nora Johns finished with four points, two blocks, and two rebounds. 

UP NEXT
The Bishops are back at Branch Rickey Arena on Saturday as they host Wittenberg. Tipoff is set for 1 p.m.