CRAWFORDSVILLE, Ind. — Wabash College could not overcome costly turnovers and a decisive second-half run by John Carroll University as the Little Giants dropped an 86-74 North Coast Athletic Conference men's basketball decision Saturday afternoon at Chadwick Court.
 
Wabash trailed by seven at halftime and never fully closed the gap after intermission as John Carroll scored 12 points off eight Little Giant turnovers and stretched the margin to as many as 19 points midway through the second half. The loss drops Wabash to 12-6 overall and 6-3 in the NCAC, while John Carroll improved to 14-4 overall and 6-3 in league play. The two teams are tied for second in the conference standings, trailing Denison University with a 6-2 record in NCAC contests this season.
 
Saturday's result evened the regular-season series between the two teams after Wabash earned a 101-97 road win at John Carroll in December.
 
The Little Giants and Blue Streaks traded punches early with 11 lead changes and four ties in the opening half. Wabash opened the scoring on a driving layup by Rich Brooks, and the Little Giants briefly seized a 5-2 edge after Luke Ellspermann knocked down three free throws at the 18:40 mark. John Carroll answered with a series of paint touches and transition baskets, including a fast-break layup by Luke Chicone and a 3-pointer from Kyle Irwin to reclaim the lead.
 
Wabash responded with an 8-0 run midway through the half. Brooks converted a second-chance bucket and followed with a 3-pointer, while Keegan Manowitz drilled a corner three to give the Little Giants a 19-16 advantage with 12:40 remaining. John Carroll countered immediately behind Chicone and Aidan Fitzgerald, using a 6-0 spurt capped by Fitzgerald's three to regain momentum.
 
The Blue Streaks closed the half on a late push. Chicone scored nine of his 18 first-half points in the final five minutes, including a step-back 3-pointer in the closing seconds, as John Carroll took a 49-42 lead into the break.
 
Any hopes of a Wabash comeback were blunted early in the second half. John Carroll opened the period with an 11-2 run, fueled by a Fitzgerald fast-break three, a Chicone layup, and a Collins basket off a turnover, pushing the margin to 57-44. Wabash briefly steadied itself behind Brooks and Ellspermann, trimming the deficit to 11 on multiple occasions, but each rally was met by timely John Carroll answers.
 
The Blue Streaks delivered the decisive blow with a 12-2 stretch midway through the final half. Chicone scored on consecutive drives, then converted two free throws following a flagrant foul to extend the lead to 72-57 with 11:34 remaining. Fitzgerald added a fast-break layup at the 8:12 mark to cap the run and give John Carroll its largest lead of the game at 78-59.
 
Wabash continued to compete down the stretch, with Brooks burying a pair of 3-pointers and Manowitz scoring in transition to pull the Little Giants within 11 twice in the final five minutes. However, John Carroll's ability to finish possessions and convert off turnovers kept the margin intact, and Chicone closed the scoring with two late drives before Ellspermann's final 3-pointer set the 86-74 final.
 
Brooks led Wabash with 18 points on 7-of-10 shooting, while Manowitz added a career-high 15 points, including four 3-pointers. Ellspermann finished with 14 points, and Colton Stowers chipped in nine. Gavin Schippert anchored the interior with a career-best 16 rebounds to go along with eight points.
 
Wabash shot 41.4 percent from the field, making 29 of 70 attempts. The Little Giants hist 7 of 26 three-point shots for 26.9 percent and connected on 9 of 12 free throws. Wabash held a 44 to 39 rebounding edge and picked up 13 second-chance points compared to 4 putback points for the Blue Streaks.
 
John Carroll was paced by Chicone's game-high 32 points, with Irwin adding 14 and Kasey Hunt contributing 13. The Blue Streaks shot 46.4 percent from the field and turned Wabash miscues into 12 points, a key difference in the contest.
 
Wabash returns to NCAC action Wednesday evening with a rivalry matchup at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.