SILOAM SPRINGS -- A late-game 18-8 rally fell just short as the John Brown University men's basketball team took a 63-53 loss to No. 22 Evangel (Mo.) on Tuesday afternoon (Nov. 22) inside Bill George Arena.
Senior DJ Ellis scored 16 points and freshman Josh Stewart added a career-high 11 off the bench, but a 22-7 run to open the second half blew open a back-and-forth contest, sending the Golden Eagles (2-6) to its sixth-consecutive setback.
The first half featured a battle of defenses that held opposing offenses well below its scoring average, highlighted by 10 lead changes, with neither team holding a lead wider than a five-point margin.
The visiting Valor (5-1) began the second half shooting 9-of-13 from the field and used eight JBU empty possessions to balloon a three-point separation into a 49-31 advantage for Evangel.
Down the stretch, the Golden Eagles used 10 points from Ellis to out-score the visitors 20-12 over the final 8:33 of the contest, but the rally early in the second half was too tall a task. Ellis and freshman Malachi Reeves hit a pair of triples apiece during the stretch.
Evangel's Edrie Martinborough led the Valor effort with a game-high 17 points, while Josh Pritchett added 15 points as the duo pulled down six rebounds each. The tandem shot a combined 13-for-25 from the field, including five triples. As a team, the visitors shot 5-of-22 from behind the arc.
The Golden Eagles lost the turnover battle, 19-12, allowing the Valor to torch the hosts for a 22-3 scoring advantage in points off turnovers.
After the Thanksgiving break, John Brown returns to Sooner Athletic play for good, picking back up league action on Thursday evening (Dec. 1) in McPherson, Kan. when the Golden Eagles take on Central Christian. Tip is scheduled for 7:45 p.m. and will air live on the SAC Sports Network.
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). Catch every Golden Eagle home game and select away games on the SAC Sports Network, available online or for download on your favorite streaming device.
