ATCHISON, Kan. -- A triple from junior Densier Carnes broke an early 2-2 tie and the Golden Eagles (3-0) would never trail over the final 37:18 as the John Brown University men's basketball team remained undefeated with a 78-65 win over No. 9 Benedictine (Kan.) on Saturday afternoon (Nov. 9) inside the Ralph Nolan Gymnasium.
Sophomore Luke Harper exploded for a career-high 28 points on 10-of-13 shooting from the floor, including a 6-of-8 effort from behind the arc. He also added three boards and a pair of steals.
Senior Quintin Bailey and Carnes each finished in double-figure scoring, adding 11 and 10 points, respectively. Carnes completed his second consecutive double-double by securing 11 rebounds and added five assists, a career-high.
A 22-6 rebounding advantage, including 10 offensive caroms, plus 19 points from Harper in the first half built a game-high 22-point lead, 45-23, before the Ravens hit a triple at the buzzer just before the intermission.
Benedictine (1-3) was able to whittle the JBU lead down to nine, twice, by opening the second half on a 24-14 run. However, back-to-back buckets from sophomore Ira Perrier and junior Kiree Hutchings returned the lead back to double-digits, and for good.
Freshman Nemanja Obradovic contributed nine points off the bench as John Brown dominated the paint, outscoring the classic hosts 32-18 in the lane.
The visitors shot 47.3 percent from the floor (26-of-55) and only committed 10 turnovers, while forcing the Ravens to cough up the rock 16 times.
Jaiden Bristol scored 20 to pace the Ravens while Jayden Temme added 12 points on 4-of-8 shooting from long range.
Up Next
The Golden Eagles will finish its three-game road trip with a bus ride down to Little Rock, Ark. on Monday (Nov. 11). JBU will renew the home-and-home matchup with Philander Smith. Tip off is scheduled for 7 p.m. inside Mims Gymnasium.
