With John Carroll leaving the Ohio Athletic Conference for the North Coast Athletic Conference in a few months, there aren’t many JCU-Baldwin Wallace games remaining. The men’s and women’s basketball games Jan. 22 seem worth the price of admission. On the women’s side, it’s an OAC showdown for first place as the Blue Streaks (13-2, 7-1 OAC) host the nationally ranked Yellow Jackets (14-1, 8-0 OAC and No. 11 by D3Hoops.com). On the men’s side, JCU (11-4, 6-2) plays at BW with a chance to extend its winning streak to nine games while trying to keep pace in the ultra-competitive OAC. The Blue Steaks, Heidelberg and Muskingum are 6-2 in conference play and within one game of first-place Mount Union. Coach Beth Andrews’ JCU women’s team has been impressive through 15 games, but a win over nationally ranked BW would be the marquee victory of the season. “It’s a big game because it’s an OAC matchup,” said Andrews. “This conference makes every game a big game. I am so proud of the position we are in and excited for the night.” Ava Ryncarz is the Blue Streaks’ leading scorer at 17.3 points per game while averaging 7.9 rebounds, but JCU is hardly a one-woman team. Graci Semptimphelter and Carmen Heuker average 9.1 and 7.3 points, respectively, and rank among the team leaders in assists and steals. Willoughby Hills native Carly Perusek (Beaumont) might be the best story on this squad. A year ago, she played just 13 minutes the entire season, but this year has been a different story as she’s fourth on the team in scoring (7.0 points), and first in field-goal percentage (.575), rebounds (8.1) and assists (36) and blocks (7). “Carly is a kid everyone wants on her team, and no one wants to play against her,” said Andrews. “She has a non-stop motor and is in constant pursuit of the ball. She will legit do anything you ask of her, and I’m proud she has a team-first mentality.” The JCU men enter their crosstown rivalry game as the hottest team in the OAC. Since losing four straight after All-America point guard Luke Chicone of Mentor went down with a broken foot, the Blue Streaks went from 3-0 to 3-4 and dropped out of the D3Hoops men’s Top 25 after starting at No. 3. Since its eight-game win streak, JCU is back in the top 25 this week at No. 24. In their last game, the Blue Streaks went on the road and used a strong second half to run away from second-place Muskingum, 91-64. JCU lead, 39-37, at the break then outscored its opponent, 52-27, in the second half. Five players were in double-figures scoring, led by Lake Catholic grad Luke Frazier, who had 18 points, 12 rebounds and five assists. Also in double figures in scoring were Chase Toppin (17), Will Yontek (14), Henry Raynor (12 points, with 12 rebounds) and David Gentry (12). Frazier has an excellent week in which JCU defeated Heidelberg and Muskingum, teams that entered OAC play last week in second place. In both games, Frazier scored 39 points and had 19 rebounds and 13 assists, which earned him a spot on D3Hoops.com’s Team of the Week. “The guys are playing within themselves and playing for each other on both ends of the floor,” said JCU coach Pete Moran on the keys to his team’s winning streak that was extended at Muskingum. “Guys are making the right plays, and we have been wearing down teams inside. There is so much parity in the game of basketball and our veterans know you have to be ready from the tip, especially on the road.” Baldwin Wallace at John Carroll What: OAC women’s basketball game When: 7 p.m., Jan. 22 Where: DeCarlo Center Records: BW 14-1, 8-0 OAC; JCU 13-2, 7-1 OAC John Carroll at Baldwin Wallace What: OAC men’s basketball game When: 7 p.m., Jan. 22 Where: Rudolph Ursprung Gymnasium Records: BW 7-8, 3-5 OAC; JCU 11-4, 6-2 OAC