SILOAM SPRINGS -- Senior Payton Guiot tied the game with 23 seconds left, but the Golden Eagle offense went cold in overtime as the John Brown University men's basketball team fell 79-76 to Philander Smith on Thursday (Nov. 3) evening inside Bill George Arena to close out a season-opening three-game homestand.
Guiot and senior Tyren Collins each eclipsed the 20-point mark, but the Golden Eagle (2-1) offense that averaged 108 points per game through its first two outings of the season hit just one of eight shot attempts in overtime, while the visiting Panthers (3-0) hit three of four in the extra session and converted three of four chances at the line to finish the night.
Philander Smith took its largest lead of the night with 8:19 left in the second half, 61-52, but the Golden Eagles methodically chipped away at the deficit, largely in part to hitting 18-of-20 free throws attempted in the second half, setting up Guiot's game-tying shot with 23 seconds left in regulation.
PSC had a chance to walk out a winner in regulation, but Aaron Johnson's triple offering at the buzzer was short, mandating another five minutes of action.
Guiot opened the overtime period with a triple and later twice split a pair at the free throw line, but after taking a 76-75 lead, Dontrell Johnon's jumper returned the advantage to the visitors for good. Rayonte Childs hit both chances at the free throw line after JBU's 20th turnover on the ensuing possession.
Guiot finished the evening with 23 points, earning 14 of those at the charity stripe, while Collins concluded with 22, shooting a perfect 12-of-12 from the line, adding seven rebounds. Freshman Josh Stewart hit three tiples and finished with nine points.
Raymond Reece led the Panthers with 19 points and 11 rebounds, Johnson finished with 18 points and David Kellah and Childs contributed 11 and 10 points, respectively.
JBU shot just 33 percent (19-of-58) and converted just eight triples on 21 chances. Philander Smith hit 27-of-54 (50 percent) and out-scored the hosts in transition, 10-0.
The two teams will square off again on Wednesday night (Nov. 9) when the squads battle in Little Rock to complete the home-and-home.
The Golden Eagles return to the hardwood on Saturday afternoon (Nov. 5) when it travels to Conway, Ark. to face Central Baptist at 3 p.m. inside the Reddin Fieldhouse.
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