With each game possibly being his last in a John Carroll uniform, Luke Chicone is playing as if he doesn’t want his college career to end anytime soon. On Feb. 27 in a North Coast Athletic Conference men’s basketball tournament semifinal, the Mentor graduate put on a show and because of it, the Blue Streaks’ season will be extended for at least one more game. Chicone scored 28 first-half points, en route to 39 for the game — two off his career high — as JCU defeated DePauw, 81-71, at host Denison and advanced to the NCAC championship game against Denison. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. For the game, Chicone was lethal not only from mid-range but from 3-point range as well. He connected on 16 of 26 shots, 6 of 11 from long range, had seven rebounds, two assists and two steals. John Carroll's Luke Chicone of Mentor scored 39 points to lead his team past DePauw Feb. 27 and into the North Coast Athletic Conference championship game. (Jose Figueroa - John Carroll Athletics) “It was a dominant performance from someone who doesn’t want his playing career to end,” said JCU assistant Pat Moran, brother of head coach Pete Moran. “He put the team on his shoulders. You have to have unselfish players who allow him to do that. That meant freeing up more space for him. He wouldn’t be able to do that without his teammates.” The Blue Streaks also got 12 points apiece from Kasey Hunt (six rebounds) and Mike Lamirand (five rebounds) but on this night it was mostly the Chicone show, something the JCU coaching staff has seen plenty of times since the All-America point guard arrived in University Heights four years ago. “He’s the best player in Division III right now,” said Moran. “As an offensive guy, he’s the one every team we play is out to stop. it’s incredible to see teams one-zone him. When the 3s are falling and he’s making those mid-range shots, he’s difficult to stop.” Moran said NCAC teams this season have tried to clog the middle against Chicone. To offset that, the staff “moved players around” in offensive sets to create more space for Chicone. That tactic paid off. “He just took control of the game,” said Moran. DePauw (18-8) had no answers for Chicone in the first half as JCU built a 45-34 lead but in the second half the Tigers came out fast and with a little more than 8 minutes in cut that advantage to 59-56 on a layup by Sam Jacobs. The Blue Streaks then answered with an 8-0 run on a 3-pointer by Mayfield’s Kyle Irwin (eight points), a free throw by Lucas Perusek (nine points), a layup by Chicone and a putback by Hunt. DePauw never got closer than nine points the rest of the way. The Blue Streaks shot 30 of 62 (48.4 percent) from the floor, outrebounded DePauw, 42-35, and forced 15 turnovers that were converted into 24 points. Now it’s a one-game season for JCU, which most likely needs a win to secure its D-III NCAA men’s tournament hopes. The 64-team field consists of 43 automatic bids and 21 at-large selections. The NCAA Power Index (NPI) ratings is the tool used to create its tournament field, and entering Feb. 27, the Blue Streaks were on the bubble as the No. 38-ranked team, and No. 23 among at-large contenders. “It’s business as usual,” said Moran. “We have kids who know the magnitude of this game. This time of the year, it’s not necessarily the best team, it’s the hottest team. We’ll get our rest and come ready for the battle.” JCU women in NCAC title game The Blue Streaks women will also be playing for the conference championship, making Feb. 28 a JCU-Denison NCAC title game doubleheader, with the women’s game tipping off at 3 p.m. Win or lose, JCU at 24-3 appears to be on solid ground for an at-large NCAA bid if it doesn’t earn the automatic bid. As of Feb. 27, the Blue Streaks were No. 7 in the NPI ratings with Denison (24-2) on spot ahead at No. 6. Coach Beth Andrews’ team got a huge win for its NCAA portfolio in the NCAC semifinal round, where it defeated No. 2 seed Ohio Wesleyan, 61-49 on Feb. 26. JCU used a 19-9 second quarter and built a 28-19 halftime lead. Graci Semptimphelter scored a game-high 26 points, made four 3-pointers and had nine rebounds. Teammate Carly Perusek added 12 points, six rebounds and four assists. NCAC championship games What: John Carroll at Denison men and women Where: Livingston Gymnasium, Granville When: Women’s title game, 3 p.m.; men’s title game, 7:30 p.m. Records: Women – JCU 24-3, Denison 24-2; Men – JCU 21-6; Denison 18-8   ...read more read less