SILOAM SPRINGS, Ark. -- Despite a season-best defensive performance, the Golden Eagles were not able to upset No. 8 Oklahoma Baptist (24-4, 10-0 SAC) as John Brown (11-16, 5-5 SAC) fell this afternoon, 3-1 (20-25, 22-25, 25-21, 19-25), at Bill George Arena.
The Lady Bison, who have won 40 consecutive Sooner Athletic Conference matches, dating back to Oct. 2010, entered the match averaging an over-.200 percent attacking clip, but JBU was able to hold Oklahoma Baptist to a mere .137 percent in the match en route to posting a season-high 93 digs.
For the second-consecutive match, freshman Shayna Daniels landed a triple-double, finishing with 11 kills, 14 assists and 21 digs. Senior Kailey Bain recorded her seventh double-double of the season, contributing a team-high 20 assists and 11 digs. Five Golden Eagles landed double-digit kills in the losing effort as senior Staci Williamson (11), freshman Molli Pugh (15) and Becca Young (22) contributed to the season-high scoops total.
Oklahoma Baptist used an eight-point advantage to keep JBU at bay in the first set before 26 ties and seven lead changes highlighted the second set before a 4-1 OBU run handed the visitors a 2-0 advantage.
Facing a 21-19 deficit late in the third set, four Baptist errors in tandem with Pugh and Vanessa Uhrhahn spikes pulled the Golden Eagles to within a set, 2-1. The fourth set featured a nine-all deadlock before the Lady Bison charged to a 9-3 run to effectively end the match.
John Brown finished the match hitting a point better than OBU (.138) but was out-blocked by the visitors, 7-5. Senior Erin McIlroy finished with a pair of rejections as did sophomore Libby Blasingame.
Kristin Pressley led the way for Baptist, posting a match-high 17 kills and 29 digs.
The ladies will now enjoy a six-day break until Friday (Oct. 25) when they look to revenge a sweep against Texas Wesleyan at Bill George Arena at 6:00 p.m. The following day (Oct. 26), JBU will attempt to sweep Southwestern A.G. at 1:00 p.m.
