SILOAM SPRINGS -- Graduate student Maci Mains hit a pair of free throws to open the fourth quarter to give the Golden Eagles a one-point lead, completing a 22-point swing, but a Langston (Okla.) responding rally in the fourth quarter was too much as the John Brown University women's basketball team fell, 81-74, to the Lions on Saturday afternoon (Dec. 3) inside Bill George Arena.
Note: After this contest was played, Langston University self-reported an ineligible student-athlete that participated. After approval from the NAIA National Office, John Brown University was awarded a forfeit victory. The final score was then changed to a 2-0 and the individual statistics of the student-athlete was applied to the team. All other final statistics remain as was originally recorded. This official postgame press release reflects the original results and statistics as of Dec. 3, 2022.
The Golden Eagles (7-3, 1-3 Sooner Athletic) out-scored the visitors by 15 points in the second and third quarters to pull within one with 10 minutes left in the afternoon before Mains' free throws handed the hosts its first lead since just over two minutes into the game.
However, over a quick 1:55 span as JBU held a one-point lead, 66-65, the Golden Eagles battled through four empty possessions while Langston pieced together a 10-0 run, including a pair of triples, to retake a nine-point lead that it wouldn't relinquish.
Senior Tarrah Stephens scored on the next possession and after forcing a turnover, senior Lisa Vanoverberghe split a pair at the line to whittle the lead down to six, 75-69, but John Brown wouldn't get any closer as the Lions secured its first-ever win in Siloam Springs.
The Lions (9-2, 4-1) started the game shooting 71 percent (12-of-17) from the floor and built a surprising 31-15 lead at the end of the first quarter, but after building a big lead, Langston had to contend with the John Brown response.
Over the second and third quarters, the Golden Eagles shot nearly 55 percent (20-of-37), powered by 20 Stephens points, including four buckets (nine points) from sophomore Emily Sanders.
Junior Natalie Smith poured in a triple with 17 second left, but with four fouls to give before forcing free throws, the Golden Eagles ran out of time to complete its second comeback of the afternoon.
Stephens' 27 points, a season high, came off an 11-of-18 shooting effort from the floor, while the senior completed her second double-double of the season with 12 rebounds, also a season-best. Smith broke out of a tough stretch with five triples to contribute 17 points, while Sanders added 11 points and six helpers in the loss.
Kameron Shelley shot 8-of-13 overall and posted 19 points for the Lions, and Anyia Pride hit 8-of-10 from the floor to chip in 16 points and five rebounds. Koreea Kirksey added 12 points.
Langston out-rebounded the Golden Eagles, 40-30, and enjoyed 34 points from its reserves. JBU shot 42 percent (27-of-65), but the visitors finished the afternoon a hot 50 percent (33-of-66) from the field and an 8-for-15 effort from behind the arc (53 percent).
John Brown will hit the road one last time before closing out the semester with a quick two-game homestand. The Golden Eagles will take on Oklahoma City inside Abe Lemons Arena on Tuesday evening (Dec. 6) at 6 p.m. The tilt will air live, for a fee, on the SAC Sports Network.
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