SILOAM SPRINGS, Ark. -- For the fourth time this season, the John Brown University women's basketball team saw a halftime lead evaporate as Southwestern A.G. (Texas) used a massive third quarter to grab its second win inside Bill George Arena in three years, stealing a 68-65 decision on Saturday (Jan. 26) afternoon.
Mckenzie Martin couldn't miss in the third quarter, hitting 4-of-4 from behind the arc, and the Lions (14-7, 8-5 Sooner Athletic) turned a 37-32 deficit into a 49-37 advantage via a 17-0 run. Shooting 11-of-19 in the quarter and committing just two turnovers, the Golden Eagles needed a fourth-quarter response to pull back into contention after SAGU kept a 10-point lead into the fourth.
John Brown received a spark off the bench from freshman Maddie Altman, who promptly scored eight points to pull JBU within as few as five, and again later within eight with 3:13 remaining. While the Lions turned the ball over three consecutive times, the Golden Eagles used five points from senior Karina Chandra, a triple and a layup, to climb all the way back to 65-63.
After trading free throws, JBU was forced to foul Lexi Rich with 16 second left as the Lion leading scorer only split the trip, giving the hosts a chance to tie the contest with the last possession.
A Chandra triple was just off the mark, but a SAGU fumble out of bounds allowed the hosts one more opportunity, but Chandra's trey at the buzzer wouldn't fall.
JBU out-scored the Lions 48-41 in the first half and fourth quarter, but SAGU's 27-14 third quarter provided just enough cushion to give the Lions its sixth win in its last seven.
Baily Cameron recorded her second double-double of the week, posting 17 points and 11 rebounds. She also added a trio of blocks. Chandra contributed 15 points while sophomore Taylor Fergen added 13 points, four rebounds and four steals.
Lexi Rich, SAGU's leading scorer, was scoreless at the half but finished with nine points four rebounds and four assists, while Jenna Price posted a monster performance – a game-high 23 points and 16 rebounds – in addition to three blocks. Kiara Glenn provided a pair of timely triples and finished with 10 points.
Although John Brown dominated the paint, 32-18, both teams shot 40 percent, but the hosts' mark of 6-of-24 behind the arc (25 percent) and five missed free throws proved to be too much.
JBU's three-game homestand will conclude on Thursday (Jan. 31) when the Golden Eagles host Southwestern Christian (Okla.) at 6 p.m. at Bill George Arena.
