SILOAM SPRINGS, Ark. -- Facing off for the second time in four days, the John Brown University women's basketball team came out ahead, this time producing a game-high 31-point lead midway through the third quarter and used cruise control to finish off an 85-59 win over, and season sweep of, Central Christian (Kan.) on Monday (Feb. 8) night inside Bill George Arena.
The Golden Eagles (3-3, 3-3 Sooner Athletic) never trailed as it captured its third-straight victory, climbing back to .500 on the season in the process. JBU will now have to hit the road for its next four outings before closing out the regular season at home on Feb. 20 against Oklahoma City.
Sophomore Tarrah Stephens equaled her season average, scoring 17 points. She also added five assists, six rebounds and three steals. Senior Taylor Fergen added 14 points on 5-of-8 shooting, while sophomore Lisa Vanoverberghe handed in her second-straight double-digit scoring effort, posting 12 points and six rebounds.
Freshman Leah Anderson came off the bench and hit a pair of triples from the top of the arc in the final minute of the first quarter and finished the night off with 10 points – a career high.
Armed with an 11-point lead in the second quarter, 36-23, Fergen would score nine points over a 3:59 span that saw the hosts out-score the visiting Tigers (2-15, 0-10) by a 13-0 margin – capped off by a buzzer-beating Fergen layup. Armed with a 47-23 advantage at the intermission, the Golden Eagles cruised to the season sweep.
While the second half was closer, in terms of scoring, the Golden Eagles never let its lead drop below a 24-point cushion.
Without its leading scorer, Central Christian struggled to find offensive rhythm, shooting just 30 percent on the evening (18-of-61). Plagued by 25 turnovers, the Tigers leaned on Cheyenne Marshall to convert acrobatic triples, of which she hit four, to finish a 22-point effort in the loss. No other visitor scored in double figures, but Kassidy Forsberg did manage to haul in a game-high 11 rebounds.
John Brown again finished above 40 percent from the field (31-of-75), and kept the miscues down to a manageable 12. Despite CCCK throwing a half court, or even sometimes full-court, pressure on John Brown, the Golden Eagles broke it fairly easily, and converted on the fast break to the tune of 17 points. The hosts also enjoyed a 49-26 scoring advantage in the paint, and welcomed a 37-point effort from the John Brown reserves.
The Golden Eagles will now venture off to the Lone Star State, taking on Southwestern A.G. and Texas Wesleyan on Thursday (Feb. 11) and Saturday, respectively. The matchup at SAGU will tip at 6 p.m.
FOLLOW THE GOLDEN EAGLES
Don't miss a minute of the latest action surrounding JBU Athletics by following the Golden Eagles on Twitter (@JBUathletics), Instagram (@JBUathletics) and Facebook (/JBUathletics).
