SILOAM SPRINGS, Ark. -- Sophomore Marta Matamala drained six triples en route to a career-best shooting night, but the John Brown University women's basketball team couldn't complete a comeback effort as the Golden Eagles fell 83-75 to Mid-America Christian (Okla.) on Thursday night (Jan. 30) inside Bill George Arena.
What was once a 19-point margin just before halftime turned into a two-possession game with under a minute left, but Matamala's career-high 24 points wasn't enough as the Evangels (15-6, 8-4 Sooner Athletic) escaped Siloam Springs with a season sweep of JBU (6-14, 2-9).
Matamala finished the contest 8-of-14 from the floor, including a 6-of-10 effort from behind the arc while senior Ally Teague added 12 of her season-high 17 points in the second half and narrowly missed the double-double by pulling down nine rebounds. Freshman Tarrah Stephens rounded out John Brown's double-digit scoring trio with 11 points on a perfect 5-of-5 night from the charity stripe.
The first half was all Mid-America Christian, which was powered by a career-high 24 points from Lexi Hernandez. She was a perfect 7-of-7 from the floor that included numerous improbably triples as Hernandez splashed five in the first half to score 19 of MACU's 47 points. The visitors held a commanding 15-point advantage after 20 minutes of play.
The third quarter would materialize into a tighter affair with MACU out-scoring the Golden Eagles 17-16, but the Evangels would have to hold off a furious John Brown rally over the final 10 minutes of play.
Mid-America Christian maintained its 16 point lead, 78-62, with 2:46 remaining. JBU would finish the game on a 13-4 run that was highlighted by back-to-back treys from Matamala. Senior Sara Williams' layup would cut MACU's lead to 80-70, and after a pair of free throws from Teague and a Matamala old-fashioned three-point play, the Evangels' lead was a mere six points, 81-75, with 41 seconds remaining.
A pair of threes wouldn't fall on the next possession and the visitors would connect on two free throws with seconds left to hold on, despite not scoring a field goal over the final 2:46 of the contest.
Loralei Siliga was one of three Evangels to break into double-figures with 17 points on 6-of-9 shooting from the field to go with six rebounds and two steals. Alexis Shannon joined her with 17 of her own on 7-of-15 shooting.
MACU dominated the paint, 53-36, and used 14 John Brown turnovers to generate 15 points.
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The Golden Eagles will head to Chickasha on Saturday afternoon (Feb. 1) to take on Science & Arts in a matinee showdown. Tip is slated for 2 p.m.
