OKLAHOMA CITY -- Senior DJ Ellis scored a game-high 22 points, tying a career high, spurring on a Golden Eagle comeback in the late stages, but Oklahoma City held on to hand the John Brown University men's basketball team a 69-65 defeat on Tuesday night (Dec. 7) inside Abe Lemons Arena.
Down 16 with just under eight minutes left in the contest, the Golden Eagles (3-8, 1-4 Sooner Athletic) turned to the three ball, draining 6-of-13 down the stretch courtesy of triples from four players including two each from Ellis and freshman Malachi Reeves, to pull within two points, 65-63. But a couple of missed shots and the Stars (5-6, 3-2) converting at the free throw line ended the JBU comeback bid just short.
After a slow offensive start in the first period, Ellis scored 17 of his 22 points in the second half, and the visitors improved to 44 percent shooting in the final 20 minutes while owning a 10-rebound advantage on the glass.
"I could not be more proud of the way our team fought in the second half tonight," head coach Jason Beschta admitted. "We never gave up, we rallied together, and played with such energy and enthusiasm and toughness, that we gave ourselves a chance down the stretch.
"Some guys really stepped up tonight, whether it be with hitting a big shot or grabbing a rebound or getting a key stop on the fence, and if this is going to be the identity of this team, we should all be excited going forward about how good we can become."
Reeves scored 11 of his 13 in the second half, converting on three triples, and added seven rebounds. Senior Tyren Collins contributed 10 points, while freshman Lukas Gabani pulled down a game-high 12 rebounds.
Brandon Jackson's 20 points paced the Stars on offense, while Kori Guest added 15 points. Avery Jackson chipped in with 10 to round out City's three double-digit scoring efforts.
JBU closes out the first semester with back-to-back home games, both airing live on the SAC Sports Network. The Golden Eagles welcome Southwestern A.G. (Texas) to Bill George Arena on Saturday afternoon (Dec. 10) at 3:45 p.m. before closing out the first half of the season 48 hours later versus North Texas at Dallas.
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