McPHERSON, Kan. -- In three prior contests, the Golden Eagles put forward its best 10 minutes of play after the intermission – and this time, the John Brown University women's basketball team used a 27-16 third quarter to capture a 74-65 victory over Central Christian (Kan.) on Friday (Feb. 5) evening inside the Jerry Alexander Arena.
A quick 5-0 Tiger (2-14, 0-9 Sooner Athletic) run pulled the hosts within one, 46-45, with just over four minutes left in the third, but a quick 14-3 quarter-closing rally that bled into the fourth built John Brown's largest lead of the season, 60-48. The Golden Eagles (1-3, 1-3) never trailed in the final period.
Sophomore Tarrah Stephens contributed 15 points on 6-of-12 shooting from the floor, and senior Taylor Fergen contributed 13 points and team-best nine rebounds that accompanied four helper and a career-best six steals. The visitors gobbled up 14 steals on 24 Central Christian turnovers as the Blue and Gold managed its miscues to just nine on the evening.
In the pivotal run, however, it was freshman Natalie Smith's seven points that powered the 14-3 rally, including a personal 5-0 to close out the third quarter. She finished with a career-high 13 points on three triples.
The JBU defense during the run that lasted 5:50 over two separate quarters kept the Tigers to just 1-of-12 shooting from the field, including 0-of-8 from long range.
The Golden Eagles led for nearly 90 percent of the contest (35:46), and shot over 40 percent for the first time in the 2020-21 season, hitting 27-of-65 from the field. Despite an 11-rebounds difference, 41-30, John Brown enjoyed a 16-7 scoring margin off opponent turnovers.
Central Christian's final lead came midway through the third, 37-35, but an 8-of-31 funk over the final 17 minutes of play proved too much for the Tigers in search of its first Sooner Athletic victory of the season.
Kassidy Forsberg's 16 points led all players, as she completed the double-double with 10 rebounds. Destiny Broussard's 12-point, 12-rebound effort was also good enough for a double-double, while Alison Kulesza (12 points) and Cheyenne Marshall (11 points) also figured in double-digit scoring for Central Christian.
JBU continues its streak of four games in six days on Saturday afternoon inside the C.F. Gayles Fieldhouse. The Golden Eagles will take on Langston (Okla.) in a 2 p.m. matinee tip-off.
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