SILOAM SPRINGS, Ark. -- Averaging 26 points per game, junior Jake Caudle helped the John Brown University men's basketball team to an 84-76 win over Evangel (Mo.) on Friday night (Nov. 17), and scored 36 points as the Golden Eagles suffered a 91-82 setback versus No. 18 MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.) on Saturday night, both coming inside Bill George Arena as part of the 2017 JBU Basketball Classic.
Caudle finished the week 17-of-30 from the field (56.7 percent) and finished 12-of-14 from the line on Saturday alone in his standout week.
Against the Crusaders (0-6), junior Benjamin Smith hit a trio of triples and finished 7-of-11 from the floor to lead John Brown with 17 points. Sophomore Brenton Toussaint and freshman Nathan Corder each reached double figures as Corder's three treys helped JBU finish 13-of-31 from behind the arc in the win.
Junior Josh Bowling posted a career-high five rejections in the win.
The Golden Eagles never trailed in the contest and led by as many as 16 points midway through the first half. EU doubled up John Brown in second-chance points, taking advantage of 15 offensive boards, but the Golden Eagles' reserves out-scored the Crusaders' bench 22-11.
Braden Adams registered 20 points to lead Evangel, who also received 16 points from Justin Washington and 12 from Luke Call.
On Saturday, the Pioneers (7-0) used a 55-point first half to take a commanding lead into the half, shooting 19-of-30 from the floor (63.3 percent) and 10-of-13 from long range.
Despite the 29-point deficit, the Golden Eagles rode 25 Caudle points in the second half to out-score the visitors 51-36, but couldn't pull closer than within six points, 86-80, with 1:21 left in the contest.
Freshman Jaylon Rucker hit 5-of-9 and scored a career-best 13 points while Toussaint added 10 points and a team-best six boards in the loss.
The Golden Eagles return to action on Monday (Nov. 20) in exhibition action for the second time at the Stubblefield Center in Ft. Smith, Ark. against the Lions. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.
