SILOAM SPRINGS -- An early seven-point fourth-quarter lead nearly held on long enough, but the Drovers scored 18 of the game's final 26 points as Science & Arts (Okla.) defeated the John Brown University women's basketball team, 55-50, on Thursday (Jan. 13) evening inside Bill George Arena.
Fresh off a 12-day absence due to COVID-19 issues, the Golden Eagles (7-11, 3-7 Sooner Athletic) scored 19 of the game's first 30 points after the intermission to pull ahead by seven points, 44-37, but a 4-of-13 shooting mark in the last quarter allowed USAO to storm back, extending John Brown's winless streak to four.
Senior Maddie Altman's layup with 1:45 left in the contest produced the fourth quarter's fourth tie score, but after the ensuing timeout, Katelyn Johnson's jumper and a miracle last-second triple from Lainey Morrow materialized the five-point cushion Science & Arts needed to escape JBU's upset bid.
Sophomore Natalie Smith scored eight straight points for John Brown, including a second triple that tied the game at 37 apiece, before the hosts positioned themselves with momentum heading into the fourth with back-to-back buckets from freshman Graci Harris and an Altman triple.
With Harris' bucket to open the fourth quarter, JBU completed a 15-2 rally over a 4:45 span to take a game-high seven point lead.
Pepper with eight lead changes and 10 tie scores, USAO won the contest on the glass, out-rebounding the Golden Eagles, 51-36. Tucked inside those 51 caroms were 20 offensive rebounds for the Drovers, and the visitors converted the extra chances into 26 second-chance points, despite shooting nearly five percent less efficient than JBU.
A balanced scoring effort was led by Altman's 12 points and six assists, shooting 5-of-10 from the floor. Junior Tarrah Stephens contributed 10 points, five rebounds and three blocks, while junior Lisa Vanoverberghe produced nine points and six rebounds, a team high.
The hosts finished the contest 19-of-54 from the field (35 percent) but converted on an uncharacteristic 24 percent of its attempts from behind the arc (6-of-25).
Milagros Carrera weathered an a rough shooting night, but still scored a game-leading 20 points to accompany eight rebounds and four assists. She finished 7-of-23 from the floor and 4-of-14 from long range. Morrow's desperation triple that cemented the game helped her land a double-double, 15 points and 13 rebounds, while Kaytlen Johnson hit some big shots in the second half to finish the evening with 10 points. No other Drover scored more than two points.
The Golden Eagles will now travel to Ft. Worth on Saturday (Jan. 15) when the Golden Eagles take on Texas Wesleyan at 2 p.m. The matchup will air live inside the Sid Richardson Center on the SAC Sports Network.
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