SILOAM SPRINGS -- The Golden Eagles scored over 50 points for the second consecutive time to open the season, and rode a 31-point outburst from senior Payton Guiot and five player in double-figure scoring to a 91-65 win over Ozark Christian (Mo.) on Tuesday evening (Nov. 1) inside Bill George Arena.
John Brown (2-0) hit its first nine shots from the field, ran out to a quick double-digit lead and never looked back, largely in part to the three ball as the hosts hit 11 first-half triples and shot 58 percent (22-of-38) from the floor through the first 20 minutes, carrying a 56-37 lead into the intermission. JBU largest lead of the evening was 26 points, 49-23, with 5:46 left in the first half.
Both offenses cooled considerably in the second half, but the John Brown defense stepped up, forcing 14 Ambassadors (1-0) turnovers and an 8-of-29 (28 percent) shooting effort in the latter period. In the first half, Ozark Christian shot 46 percent, hitting 13-of-28 from the floor.
Guiot scored 25 of his 31 points in the first half, and he added five assists and four steals on a night he shot 7-of-12 from deep. Senior Tyren Collins nearly completed his first-career double-double, hitting 7-of-10 overall for 14 points while grabbing nine boards. Freshman Malachi Reeves also produced 14 points – shooting 5-of-7 – and contributing four rebounds, two blocks and two steals.
Junior Noah Taylor hit three triples and chipped in with 13 points in 13 minutes, while senior DJ Ellis finished with 10 points and a game-leading seven assists. Junior Benjamin Agwu Eme came off the bench to nab seven rebounds as John Brown won the battle of the boards by a large margin, 46-27.
The John Brown offense, through its first two games, is averaging 108 points per game, 18 triples per game and a plus eight turnover advantage.
The Ambassadors produced three players in double-digit scoring, led by Joel Pugh's 22 points. The visitors finished 21-of-57 (37 percent) from the floor, but converted 15-of-21 from the free throw line.
The Golden Eagles shot 51 percent overall (36-of-71) and scored from all over the floor – scoring 50 points in the paint and producing 42 points from behind the arc.
Now JBU turns to NAIA competition, first by welcoming Philander Smith (Ark.) to Bill George Arena to kick off a home-and-home with the Panthers. The front end happens in Siloam Springs on Thursday night (Nov. 3), with the tip scheduled for 7 p.m. The game will be carried live on the SAC Sports Network.
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