SILOAM SPRINGS, Ark. -- In the fabled tradition of throwing toilet paper after the first Golden Eagle field goal, the John Brown University men's basketball team opened up the 2019-20 campaign with a 90-56 victory over Crowley's Ridge (Ark.) on Saturday night (Nov. 2) inside Bill George Arena.
Sophomore Luke Harper poured in a career-high 20 points on the strength of six treys as the Golden Eagles (1-0) shot 50 percent (16-of-32) from behind the arc and used a 52-24 halftime advantage to skate to a comfortable season-opening victory amidst the hoopla of the most famous technical foul in all of sports. All five starters finished in double-figure scoring.
Senior Quintin Bailey's baby hook in the lane just 48 seconds into the contest prompted the tradition of over 2,000 rolls of Scott 1,000 toilet paper to be launched onto John Sheehy Court. For the fourth consecutive year, Kimberly-Clark donated 4,000 rolls – with the other 2,000 rolls to be donated, along with canned food items, to the Manna Center, a local food bank in Siloam Springs.
With more than 7,000 canned food items donated over the last five years, the food drive for the Manna Center is part of the Sooner Athletic Conference's "The SAC Gives Back" initiative.
Once the traditions had been honored and adhered to, three Harper triples opened an early 12-point lead for the hosts, 24-12. Sophomore Ira Perrier's second triple of the half doubled that advantage to 24, 46-22, as JBU rode a 28-point lead into the intermission. Harper (17), Perrier (10) and junior Densier Carnes (10) all hit the double-digit scoring mark in the first half as John Brown shot an impressive 67 percent (17-of-27) from the floor.
Junior Rokas Grabliauskas hit three treys in the second half to elevate into double-digit scoring territory and bench boss Jason Beschta emptied his bench as the hosts' lead would eventually grow to a game-high 37 points late in the contest.
Four newcomers tallied their first collegiate points in Nemanja Obradovic (8), Adam Asgeirsson (5), James Beckom (3) and Kobe Robinson (3). Nathan Stolz also split a trip to the line.
The Golden Eagles finished the contest 60 percent (30-of-50) from the floor, and out-rebounded the Pioneers by a 37-22 margin. Six offensive boards were turned into 11 second-chance points for John Brown.
Carnes nearly missed the double-double, finishing with 12 points and a game-high nine rebounds. Harper added a game-high five assists.
Up Next
JBU will take off for the Benedictine (Kan.) Classic in Atchison where the Golden Eagles will face Missouri Valley on Friday afternoon (Nov. 8) before matchup up with host Benedictine in a Saturday afternoon matinee.