SILOAM SPRINGS, Ark. -- Senior Gilbert Gyamfi poured in a career-high 36 points as No. 14 John Brown (8-0) overcame a seven-point second half deficit to edge Philander Smith (Ark.) by a single point in overtime, 106-105, this afternoon at Bill George Arena.
For the second time in two weeks, JBU earned a one-point victory over the Panthers. The two games this season mark the first two meetings between the two squads in program history.
Gyamfis career output was earned off an 11-of-16 effort from the field, including a 13-of-18 effort from the free throw line. He also collected five assists, three rebounds and two blocks. Three other Golden Eagles finished in double-digit scoring as sophomore Kofi Josephs matched his season high with 27 points, landing a career-high six triples in the winning effort. He also notched five boards and a trio of helpers. Senior Kurtis Phillips finished the game with a career-high 15 points and pulled down a team-high eight rebounds and dished out a team-high six assists. Junior Max Hopfgartner used a 6-of-10 effort from the field, knocking down 13 points, continuing his streak of double-digit scoring this season having earned 11 or more points in every game this season.
Over the first three minutes of the game, the squads played to four ties as neither team was able to take an early advantage. Philander Smith then rallied over the next 2:29 to a 23-16 lead as three Panther triples powered a 12-4 run after JBU held a 12-8 lead. A pair of Arty Pavlov free throws at the 11:08 mark cut the visitors lead to just two, 25-23, but PSC rolled to another run, 20-6, over the ensuing 6:22 to take a commanding 16-point lead, 45-29, with 4:35 remaining the half. Gyamfi began to take over from that point, using two field goals and a quartet of free throws to power John Brown to a 15-2 run to close the first half, whittling the Panther lead down to a mere three points, 47-44.
Facing a seven-point deficit over five minutes into the second half, two Joseph treys and another from Phillips knotted the score at 59 apiece. Gyamfi continued his hot shooting from the stripe and knocked down another four free throws as another Josephs long-range conversion pulled John Brown back to within one, 67-66, with 10:05 left in the second stanza. The next 5:19 was highlighted by back-and-forth action as the squads found themselves tied seven times. With the score deadlocked at 81 apiece, another tandem of Joseph triples handed the hosts a six-point lead, 92-86, with 1:59 left, capping off a 12-5 run over 2:47. Philander Smith returned the favor with consecutive triples, tying the match at 92 with 68 seconds remaining. Gyamfis bucket briefly gave JBU a small lead, but the Panthers forced overtime with a field goal with 17 seconds on the clock as Samson Olayemis attempt at the buzzer wouldnt fall.
Although PSC scored the first three points of the extra session, consecutive buckets from Phillips gave John Brown a one-point lead, 98-97. With 1:44 left, the Panthers held a 102-100 lead, but a pair of crucial Gyamfi free throws tied the score again. On the ensuing possession, the Panthers turned the ball over as Gyamfi made them pay, scoring the final basket of his 36-point output for the two-point advantage. Philander Smith responded with a three-pointer and a one-point lead. With 32 clicks left in the contest, Josephs missed a field goal as JBU seemingly missed out on the victory. However, an unforced Panther turnover just four seconds later gave John Brown a final chance. Josephs redeemed himself and the undefeated Golden Eagle season by drawing a foul with 19 seconds left and converted both free throws. An impressive defensive effort by the hosts on the final possession left Philander Smith with an awkward jump shot at the buzzer that wouldnt fall.
The Golden Eagles matched its season low with 30 rebounds as PSC earned six more caroms in the contest. John Brown compensated by turning the ball over a season-low 12 turnovers and converted 14 Philander Smith miscues into 19 points. JBU finished the afternoon shooting at a 57.4 percent clip (35-of-61) while the Panthers landed a 59.2 percent effort (42-of-71).
Philander Smith (5-2) finished with all five starters in double-digit scoring and was led by a trio of 21-point scorers in Aquill Baynard, Teviin Morris and Juvon Demerson. Baynard pulled down a game-high nine rebounds, three on the offensive glass, in the losing effort.
John Brown will now take a seven-day break before it returns to action when it hosts NCCAA opponent Dallas Christian (Texas) at Bill George Arena on Saturday (Nov. 30) at 3:00 p.m.
