CHICKASHA, Okla. -- Freshman Noah Taylor poured in five triples, but a slow start and short bench proved too much for the Golden Eagles as Science & Arts (Okla.) upended the No. 13 John Brown University men's basketball team on Tuesday (Jan. 12) night inside the Drover Fieldhouse.
Without seasoned veterans in junior Luke Harper, senior Rokas Grabliauskas and sophomore Nemanja Obradovic, the Golden Eagles (0-1, 0-1 Sooner Athletic) started the contest out just 2-of-10 from the field, quickly needing to play catchup for the remainder of the game.
Taylor's second triple of the game cut the Drover (7-0, 2-0) lead to just six, 27-21, with just under eight to play in the first half, but the hosts, coming off a strong win at previously undefeated Mid-America Christian (Okla.), carried an eight-point lead into the intermission on 14-of-29 shooting in the first half.
USAO's lead quickly swelled to 12, 45-33, but triples from Taylor (twice) and sophomore DJ Ellis helped the visitors climb back to within three, 47-44.
John Brown continued riding its new-found offensive swagger, getting a bucket from junior Ira Perrier and capped off the 16-5 run with a Densier Carnes triple to pull within one, 50-49.
A gorgeous and-one from redshirt freshman Alex Kinsey helped break a slump – keeping John Brown within three, 58-55, but the Drovers shot 51 percent in the second half, and 18 Golden Eagle turnovers proved too much down the stretch as the hosts returned the lead to double digits, where it remained for the majority of the remainder of the night.
Off the bench, Taylor finished 5-of-11 from the field, while Carnes added 14 points, seven boards and a career-high six assists. Junior Ira Perrier pieced together a 12-point, nine-rebound performance while newcomer DJ Ellis added 12 points in his first career start. Kinsey also added 10 points in the setback.
USAO was paced by a trio of 20-point performances, headlined by Elvin Rodriguez's 29-point evening. Cameron Hines crossed the 1,000-point mark with 22 points while Gerard Makunte shot a perfect 8-of-8 from the field and knocked down all four free throw attempts to contribute 21 points.
The Golden Eagles will now return to Siloam Springs to start a three-game homestand, set to begin on Thursday (Jan. 14). JBU will welcome Texas Wesleyan to Bill George Arena in a 6 p.m. tip.
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