LEBANON, Tenn. - The Hendrix College men's basketball team opened the Music City Classic with a 91-79 loss to John Carroll University Thursday.

The first half featured big runs for each team. The Blue Streaks (4-5) jumped out to a 15-5 lead over the first 6:30 of the contest. The Warriors (3-6) went on a 31-14 run to take a 36-29 advantage with 7:04 remaining. Hendrix went 11-of-12 from the field, hitting 10 shots in a row, during that stretch. Sophomore guard Preston Smith made four of the Warriors' five three-point shots in the run. JCU finished the half on a 18-7 rally to take a 47-43 lead into the break.

With the Blue Streaks leading by 61-58 with 13:28 left in the game, they went on a 15-3 run to take a 76-61 advantage with 10 minutes left. The Warriors cut the deficit to 81-72 at the 4:09 mark, but JCU held them off to win by 12.

For the game, Hendrix shot 46.4 percent (26-of-56) from the field, 6-of-16 from outside and 23-of-33 from the free throw line. They also recorded 28 rebounds, 15 assists, 15 turnovers, two blocks and 10 steals.

John Carroll shot 45.1 percent (32-of-71) from the floor, 6-of-19 from three-point range and 21-of-23 at the line. They also had 50 rebounds, 16 assists, 18 turnovers, six blocks and seven steals.

Hendrix Notes
- This was the Warriors' first game after a 25-day layoff. 
- Senior center Gearen Littlefield led Hendrix with a career-high 22 points to go with six rebounds, two assists and two steals.
- Smith finished with 17 points, an assist and a pair of steals.
- Senior guard Hank Aldous recorded 17 points, six boards and two assists.
- Senior guard Travis Garrett recorded eight points and three assists.
- Freshman guard Jacob Link had six points, six rebounds, three assists and a season-best four steals.
- Sophomore guard Michael Calemese had four points and three assists.

John Carroll Notes
- David Linae, Jr. paced the Blue Streaks with 18 points and three assists.
- John Cirillo had 17 points, going 10-of-10 at the line, with 11 rebounds and two steals.
- Simon Kucarewicz added 12 points.
- Doug Caputo had 10 points and 11 boards.

Up Next
Hendrix will face Maryville College on the campus of Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville at noon Friday.