PLAINVIEW, Texas -- In a defensive grudge match, the Golden Eagles couldn't overcome a late Pioneer run that saw the John Brown University men's basketball team's three-game win streak come to an end via a 49-48 setback at Wayland Baptist (Texas) on Monday (Feb. 7) night inside the Hutcherson Center.
Senior Luke Harper hit back-to-back buckets to give the Golden Eagles (16-10, 10-8 Sooner Athletic) a 39-34 lead with six minutes left in the contest, but an ensuing 12-1 rally by the Pioneers (14-11, 10-8) handed the hosts a lead that John Brown couldn't overcome down the stretch.
Junior DJ Ellis hit a triple and junior Payton Guiot added a pair at the line to pull the visitors within two, 47-45, but shooting just 1-of-6 from the floor with a pair of turnovers in the final two minutes limited the Golden Eagles from taking advantage of multiple Pioneer miscues that gave JBU every chance to finish the comeback.
Finally Wayland's RJ Mason hit a pivotal pair at the line with four seconds left, just enough considering Ellis' buzzer-beating, yet trivial, triple from the right wing as time expired.
"We knew coming into this one that it was going to be a defensive slugfest," head coach Jason Beschta noted. "Both teams are known for being a grind-it-out, half-court type teams, and it played out that way. I'm so proud of our effort on the defensive end tonight against a really big Wayland Baptist team.
"This was one of our better defensive efforts this year, for sure. On the offensive end, we did such a good job of moving and getting the ball to the open man for great looks, but the shots just weren't falling tonight. If we can replicate a lot of the things that we did tonight in future games, I think we are going to be a dangerous team to face."
John Brown shot a season low 30 percent from the floor (18-of-60) and saw its efficiency drop even further behind the arc, finishing the night at 21 percent behind the arc (6-of-29).
The largely outsized Golden Eagles kept the rebound margin within one, 36-35, and were only out-scored 22-18 in the paint. The hosts did, however, use 12 points off 14 John Brown turnovers to its advantage, while JBU could only generate five points off 16 Wayland Baptist miscues.
Harper scored 13 points, while Ellis ended the evening with 11. Senior Ira Perrier added eight points and a game-best 10 rebounds in the loss.
Mason paced the Pioneers with 17 points and six rebounds.
Continuing on to Bethany, Okla., the Golden Eagles finish its four-game road trip on Thursday (Feb. 10) evening at Southwestern Christian. The 7:45 start time is slated to air live on the SAC Sports Network.
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