PLAINVIEW, Texas -- Mired in an offensive funk coming out of a difficult two-point loss to Southwestern Christian (Okla.) on Thursday (Feb. 4), the offensive inconsistencies continued for the John Brown mens basketball team (11-13, 4-8 SAC), and against the leagues top offense, Wayland Baptist (Texas), the Golden Eagles suffered a 97-65 setback on Saturday (Feb. 6) at the Hutcherson Center.
Despite finding its form in the second half, JBU shot just 25 percent (8-of-32) in the first half and allowed the Pioneers (14-9, 6-6 SAC) to enjoy a very quick 28-8 lead in the first half.
Senior Griffin Brady led John Brown with 13 points, six rebounds and three assists while freshman Josh Bowling came off the bench to contribute 12 points. Nearly half of the Golden Eagle attempts came from behind the arc (31), and the Golden Eagles drilled nine, led by Bradys four, but finished the game just 12-of-32 from inside the arc.
Baptist, which beat JBU by just two points after trailing by as many as 13 when the teams met in Siloam Springs on Dec. 3, came out riding the hot hand of Marshall Nelson, who finished with 22 points on 6-of-8 shooting from downtown.
The Pioneers, who drilled Bacone on Thursday night with a season-high point total, 120-93, went up by as many as 26 in the first half and as many as 38 in the second.
Wayland dominated the boards, 48-37, led by Aniete Jacks seven, and Jordan Tolbert ended with six assists to lead the Pioneers, who had 21 total on 41 field goals. JBU was again hampered by turnovers (19) while the Pioneers gave the ball up just 13 times.
WBU finished 51.9 percent (41-of-79) from the floor and shot 57.1 percent in the opening frame to open up the big lead.
The road doesnt get any easier for John Brown, who returns to action on Thursday (Feb. 11) at conference-leading Texas Wesleyan in Ft. Worth. Tip is slated for 3 p.m.
