MUSKOGEE, Okla. -- Numerous career-best rebounding nights all fell together at the right time and junior Ricky Roberts exploded for a 25-point effort as the John Brown mens basketball team (10-10, 3-5 SAC) ended a two-game losing skid by fending off Bacone (Okla.) on Saturday (Jan. 23) afternoon at the Palmer Center.
Roberts finished with his second-straight 20-point output, scoring 25 on 9-of-16 shooting from the floor. Additionally, he picked up his first-career double-double by grabbing a career-high 14 boards while dishing out three assists. Impressively, Roberts didnt find the scoresheet until more than halfway into the first period, but it was hot shooting from the outset that placed JBU in a strong position.
The Golden Eagles started the game 5-of-8 from the field as the Moyer and Martinez show made its debut. Senior Luke Moyer opened the game with a triple, followed with a strong Miguel Martinez slam to set the tone. Senior Griffin Brady followed up his miss with a board and passed off to Moyer for another triple, sending JBU on top, 8-0. Not to be outdone, Martinez scored again in the post and less than four minutes into the contest, junior Zach English drilled a trey from the right arc, building a 13-5 score.
“We had a great start tonight really focused on both ends,†noted head coach Jason Beschta. “As Bacone made a run back, I thought we stayed solid except for just getting too loose with the ball resulting in way too many turnovers. As it got closer late, our guys made some big plays that stood out, especially and-ones for both Griffin and Ricky and a really big three-pointer from Jake [Caudle]. I am proud of the way we continued to fight to the end and come away with this one.â€
On the verge of its second three-game losing skid of the season, John Brown continued its 8-9 point lead throughout the first half. Roberts finally scored his first bucket at the 9:39 mark and made it two in a row on the following possession. Moyer hit his third triple of the frame and Roberts stuck and old-fashioned triple with 5:46 remaining to hold a 19-point lead, 35-16, capping off a 13-1 run Robert started with his first field goal of the game.
A small 8-4 run brought the Warriors (1-17, 0-7 SAC) within 14 at the break, 44-30, but the damage, for then, had been exacted with the Golden Eagles 47.1 percent shooting effort in the first half.
Bacone began the second half similar to the way JBU started the game and pieced together a 9-2 run to open the first 4:03. Roberts finally ended the draught at the 15:57 mark, but besides a jumper from freshman Jake Caudle, John Brown managed just three field goals over the first 9:55 of the second.
After pulling within three during the defensive surge, 50-47, Bacone allowed Roberts to regain confidence as the junior hit three-straight field goal, expanding the lead back to 10, 58-48. However, another near-four-minute famine allowed the Warrior to embark on an 8-0 run to pull within just two, 58-56. Committing a turnover on the previous possession, junior Nate Anderson redeemed himself with 4:55 on the clock with a pair at the line. The timely makes seemed to motivate John Brown, which enjoyed a Caudle triple on its next trip and a Brady and-one after forcing a Bacone turnover.
The two-point affair expanded back to 10, 66-56, and Roberts stuck the dagger in the Bacone comeback effort with JBUs second-straight and one on the next possession. Up 70-59, John Brown made things interesting hitting just 5-of-10 from the line in the final minute. Two missed Warrior triples at the end finally secured the visitors victory.
Caudle finished with a career-best in points (12) and rebounds (6) while Andersons career-high 14 boards, including seven on the offensive glass, help John Brown overcome its recent rebounding woes to finish the contest with a 52-28 advantage on the glass. Moyer finished with 13 points on four triples while Brady added nine and six in the win.
Geo Brewer led all scorers with 27 for Bacone, while Brandon Chatman added 16 and Corey Swift, 10. The Warriors allowed 17 offensive JBU rebounds which converted into 17 second-chance points. Also, powered by Caudle, the Golden Eagle reserves out-scored Bacones bench 24-11.
With the win, the Golden Eagles are poised to start a new win streak and return home for a three-game homestand, slated to begin on Thursday (Jan. 28) against St. Gregorys (Okla.). Tip is set for 8 p.m.
