WAXAHACHIE, Texas -- Shooting over 45 percent from the floor in the second half, the Golden Eagles continued its trend of strong third-quarter efforts as the John Brown University women's basketball team turned around an eight-point halftime deficit into a 68-63 win over Southwestern A.G. (Texas ) on Friday (Feb. 12) night inside the Sheaffer Center.
Sophomore Tarrah Stephens netted 15 of her game-high 21 points in the second half and the Golden Eagles connected on 8-of-9 from the charity stripe in the final 20 minutes of play to overcome a once 11-point deficit to collects its fourth straight victory on the season.
Down in a one-possession contest in the fourth quarter, John Brown (4-3, 4-3 Sooner Athletic) received triples from reserves Kenzie Silkey and Natalie Smith, and coupled with a Leah Anderson bucket down low gave John Brown its first lead, 58-55, of the fourth quarter.
Tied at 62 with under three to play, Anderson converted a pair at the line and after a defensive stop, Stephens' bucket pushed the visitors' lead to four, 66-62.
After SAGU (2-9, 2-6) split a pair at the line, John Brown couldn't extend its lead beyond three, but after a Lion timeout, freshman Josie Sisk swiped the inbound pass, which was sealed by senior Taylor Fergen hitting two at the line to complete the five-point victory, breaking JBU's three-game losing streak to SAGU. JBU finished the contest on an 8-1 run – limiting the hosts to just one point on six possessions, including a trio of turnovers.
Stephens led all scorers with her fourth 20-point outing of the season, hitting 21 points on 9-of-9 shooting. She flirted with the double-double, securing eight boards. Junior Maddie Altman scored a season-high 12 points and dished out five of John Brown's 14 assists on the evening, also a season best. Fergen ended the night with 11 points.
Despite scoring just 26 points in the second half, the Lions were led by a pair of 14-point efforts by Kiara Glenn and Sydney Meador. Meador completed the double-double, pulling down 10 caroms.
JBU finished the contest at 40 percent from the field (23-of-57). While SAGU shot just 33 percent (21-of-63), 15 of its 21 field goals came from behind the arc, finishing at a 55 percent clip. The Golden Eagles held a narrow rebounding advantage, 34-33, but dominated the contest in the paint, out-scoring the hosts 30-12 in the block.
Now facing the second leg of its road trip to Texas, the Golden Eagles will face Texas Wesleyan on Saturday (Feb. 13) at 2 p.m. inside the Sid Richardson Center. JBU will look to end another three-game skid, this time the one in Ft. Worth.
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