SILOAM SPRINGS, Ark. -- Despite shooting over 50 percent on the evening, the No. 7 Golden Eagles (11-1, 1-1 SAC) attempted 20 fewer shots than Science & Arts (Okla.) and fell by a 79-59 margin tonight at Bill George Arena.
The loss snaps John Brown's 11-game winning streak as USAO (4-5, 1-1 SAC) shot 51.6 percent from the field (32-of-62) and drained 10 triples, the majority of which helped the Drovers build an early lead that JBU could not overcome. John Brown finished the night 22-of-42 from the floor (52.4 percent) but allowed the Drover reserves to take over the game as Science & Arts outscored the Golden Eagle bench 35-3.
JBU controlled the paint, however, led by a career-high 22 points from Kurtis Phillips. Phillips managed his career mark on a 6-of-10 shooting effort from the field that included a trio of triples, five rebounds and four assists. Max Hopfgartner also finished in double-digits, landing 14 points and a game-high seven boards. Samson Olayemi finished in double figures for the third time in his Golden Eagle career as he poured in 11 points on 5-of-8 shooting.
The game was out of JBU's reach in the first 12:04 as USAO used a 33-7 opening run. John Brown began the game just 3-of-15 from the field. The rest of the game was played in a 20-plus point deficit for the Golden Eagles that managed to whittle the margin to 18 late in the second half.
Four Drovers finished the match in double-digits as Jahseth Lloyd paced USAO off the bench with 20 points and five rebound on an 8-of-13 night from the field. David Tucker Jr. notched 13 points while Kennis White landed 12 and Tyler Reynolds contributed 11 off the bench.
The Drovers' victory was the first in Siloam Springs in over nine seasons.
The Golden Eagles will look to regroup when it travels to Ft. Worth, Texas, to face Texas Wesleyan on Saturday (Jan. 4) in a matinee tilt. Game time is scheduled for a 3:00 p.m. start.
