UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, Ohio — Freshman Colton Stowers scored a career-high 23 points and senior Gavin Schippert recorded his first double-double of the season as Wabash College answered every surge by John Carroll University to earn a 101–97 victory Saturday afternoon in a fast-paced North Coast Athletic Conference contest at the Tony DeCarlo Varsity Center.
 
The game marked the first NCAC meeting between the two programs in John Carroll's inaugural season in the league and the first overall matchup since Wabash (5-3, 2-1 NCAC) posted a 76–73 home win on Dec. 14, 1991. The Little Giants scored 100 points for the first time since earning a 101-73 victory against Wittenberg University in an NCAC contest December 11, 2021. 
 
John Carroll (5-2, 0-2 NCAC), which entered the afternoon ranked eighth in Division III in scoring at 96 points per game, immediately imposed its tempo and trademark full-court press. The Blue Streaks opened with an 8–2 run, fueled by early three-pointers from Luke Chicone and Aidan Fitzgerald and a transition basket by Kasey Hunt to grab an early advantage.
 
Wabash responded by attacking inside. Rich Brooks scored twice in the lane, Luke Ellspermann added a transition layup, and Nate Matelic finished a fast-break opportunity to cap a 10–3 Little Giant run that pulled Wabash back even. The teams traded baskets before John Carroll surged again midway through the half, using a three from Sean Collins and a pair of free throws by Chicone to build a five-point cushion.
 
Stowers helped swing momentum back to Wabash with consecutive perimeter baskets. The freshman knocked down a three-pointer, then followed with a strong finish in the paint, while Brooks added another interior score as part of a 9–4 response. The remainder of the half featured constant exchanges, with neither team leading by more than five points. John Carroll closed the opening period with a late burst as Chicone and Kyle Irwin each connected from beyond the arc in the final minute to give the Blue Streaks a 56–54 halftime lead despite Wabash shooting nearly 60 percent from the field in the first 20 minutes.
 
Wabash opened the second half with its most decisive scoring run of the afternoon. Stowers opened the period with a pull-up jumper and a three-pointer, Schippert scored twice on second-chance opportunities, and Ellspermann finished in transition to highlight a 10–0 run that turned a two-point deficit into a 61–56 Little Giant lead.
 
John Carroll quickly answered. Fitzgerald hit a three, Hunt scored inside, and Chicone converted at the free-throw line to spark a 10–3 Blue Streak run that reclaimed a 70–67 advantage midway through the half. The teams continued to trade blows as Brooks scored four straight points for Wabash before Irwin and Jack Zapolnik answered with baskets to tie the game at 76–76 with just over 10 minutes remaining.
 
The final stretch was defined by short, answering runs. Ellspermann and Schippert scored on consecutive possessions to give Wabash a brief four-point edge, only to see John Carroll counter with a transition layup by Zapolnik and a three-pointer from Chicone. After Chicone's fast-break three tied the game at 92–92 with just over two minutes remaining, Wabash delivered the decisive sequence.
 
Ellspermann converted two free throws to regain the lead, Schippert secured a critical defensive rebound and scored inside, and Brooks finished through contact in the paint with 1:18 remaining to push the margin to four. John Carroll closed within three on a late Fitzgerald three-pointer, but Brooks sealed the outcome at the free-throw line in the final seconds as Wabash closed the game by scoring on four of its final five possessions.
 
Stowers finished with 23 points on 9-of-16 shooting, including 5-of-9 from three-point range. Schippert posted 16 points and a season-high 12 rebounds for his first double-double of the season and second of his career while also adding six assists. Brooks scored 22 points, Ellspermann added 15 points and five assists, and Matelic chipped in 14 points off the bench.
 
Wabash shot 54.2 percent from the field and held a 52–34 advantage in points in the paint, countering John Carroll's perimeter-heavy attack. The Little Giants entered the game leading the conference in three-point shooting percentage (37 percent) and three-point baskets per game (10.7). Wabash tallied 11 triples in the game, making 11 of 31 for 35.5 percent shooting from behind the ar. The Little Giant defense also limited the Blue Streaks to 35 percent shooting in the second half while outscoring the hosts 47–41 after halftime.
 
Chicone led John Carroll with 27 points, while Fitzgerald (15 points), Collins (11 points), Brandon Rose (10 points), and Zapolnik (10 points) each reached double figures.
 
Wabash travels to Anderson University for a non-conference contest on Saturday, December 20.