CHICKASHA, Okla. -- In a game that featured 11 ties and 11 lead changes, the Golden Eagles (9-1, 1-0 SAC) received a career-high 27 points from junior DJ Feitl and John Brown shot 50 percent from behind the arc to capture a 77-73 win over Science & Arts (Okla.) tonight in its Sooner Athletic Conference opener inside Drover Fieldhouse.
Eleven of Feitls career-high came at the line as he shot 11-of-16 from the charity stripe to accompany a 7-of-21 evening from the floor, which included a pair of triples. Feitls 21 shot attempts also sets a career high and is tied for 11th-most in program history while his 16 attempts from the line place him tied for 12th all-time. Junior Griffin Brady tallied 13 points and one timely triple while senior Samson Olayemi poured in a season-high 11 points.
The two teams shot nearly identical as John Brown posted a 23-of-62 mark (36.5 percent) and USAO (1-7, 0-1 SAC) notched a 36.9 percent efficiency (24-of-65). Both teams recorded 15 offensive rebounds and 46 total rebounds. JBU attempted a season-high 33 free-throw attempts, hitting 23 (69.7 percent) while the Drovers shot 21-of-29 (72.4 percent) from the stripe.
Olayemis bucket at the 16:53 mark of the second half was the Golden Eagles first points, pulling the visitors back within one, 39-38. Neither team led by more than four points throughout the majority of the stanza. After a pair of Max Hopfgartner makes at the line at the 3:25 mark to give JBU a two-point lead, 69-67, Feitl gave the visitors some breathing room by converting an and-one chance to push the lead to four, 72-68. Two Markes Charles free throws closed the gap to two, but on the ensuing possession, JBU received the big shot it needed.
With just 1:51 left in the game and nursing a two point lead, Brady hit his only shot from behind the arc on the right wing from Feitl, extending the visitors lead to five, 75-70. The Golden Eagle defense made its last stand by forcing USAO into three-straight misses and three turnovers over the final 1:51 of the game. The Drovers scored a buzzer-beating layup just before time expired.
For the third-consecutive game, the JBU defense has held the opposition to under 40.0 percent from the floor. Tonight, John Brown won the turnover battle, 13-11.
Five Drovers hit double figures, led by EdLexus Colliers 15 points and eight rebounds. Markens Charles had a double-double with a 14 point performance and 10 rebounds, while also contributing a team-high six assists. Cameron King netted 13 points off the bench while Jerry Coriolan also notched a double-double, with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Hopfgartner, Olayemi and Brady each grabbed a team-leading eight boards apiece while Brady dished out a team-high three assists and Feitl earned a trio of steals. Sophomore Nate Anderson came off the bench to contribute four rebounds and a block.
With the victory, the Golden Eagles extend its winning streak to three, including two-straight road contests. JBU will return to action on Saturday (Dec. 6) when it welcomes No. 12 Oklahoma Baptist to Bill George Arena at 5 p.m. in matinee action.
