SILOAM SPRINGS -- Despite rallying from 12 down to hold a four-point lead with 26 seconds left in regulation, the Golden Eagles gave up a pair of late triples before falling in overtime as the John Brown University men's basketball team absorbed a 76-70 loss to Southwestern A.G. (Texas) on Saturday afternoon (Dec. 10) inside Bill George Arena.
Junior Noah Taylor came off the bench to provide a game-high 17 points on four triples and a perfect 5-of-5 effort from the charity stripe, and the Golden Eagles (3-9, 1-5 Sooner Athletic) rebounded with a 50 percent (12-of-24) shooting effort in the second half to eliminate a 12-point halftime deficit.
Out of the intermission, John Brown scored 13 of the first 17 points in the second half on eight points from freshman Lukas Gabani to pull within three, 39-36. Later, down six with just under eight minutes remaining, Taylor and freshman Malachi Reeves connected on consecutive triples to tie the game at 45, completing the 12-point comeback effort.
SAGU (8-4, 4-0) later held a 53-50 advantage with under 2:00 remaining, but a quick 7-0 rally powered by a Gabani bucket followed by senior DJ Ellis pouring in a huge triple with 51 seconds left gave JBU a four-point edge following a pair of Ellis conversions at the line, 57-53. Improbably, Brooks Haddock hit a triple on the next possession and, after another successful free throws from Ellis, hit a second trey despite the Lions being in the bonus to force overtime.
In the extra period, JBU went cold, shooting 2-of-8 from the floor, while SAGU converted on half its six attempts and finished 10-of-11 from the line in overtime.
Ellis and Gabani each finished with 12 points apiece – Ellis also with six assists and Gabani six rebounds – while senior Tyren Collins contributed 10 points. Senior James Beckom chipped in with eight points and eight rebounds.
Five Lions finished in double-figure scoring, paced by Noah Boling's 17 – ten of which came at the charity stripe. Cortland Blake produced 15 points and six boards, while Haddock added 14 points. Philbert Weekes scored all 12 of his points in the first half, and Tyler Kinghorn scored 11 as the Lions remain unbeaten in Sooner Athletic play.
JBU will end its short two-game homestand and close out the first semester when it welcomes North Texas at Dallas to Siloam Springs on Monday evening (Dec. 12). The teams are scheduled to tip off at 7:45 p.m. and the tilt will air live on the SAC Sports Network.
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