OKLAHOMA CITY -- The host Evangels boasted a 25-10 lead at the end of the first quarter that was too much to overcome as the John Brown University women's basketball team fell in 71-60 fashion to Mid-America Christian (Okla.) on Thursday night (Jan. 12) inside the Gaulke Activity Center.
The Golden Eagles (11-5, 5-5 Sooner Athletic) received a career-high 17 points from graduate student Maci Mains off the bench on five triples and 6-for-10 shooting, while senior Tarrah Stephens converted 6-of-9 from the field to finish with 13 points. Senior Lisa Vanoverberghe led all players in caroms, securing 12 of John Brown's 33 rebounds in the setback.
JBU shot 43 percent (23-of-54) from the floor, but that was due to the furious comeback efforts in the second half. In the first half, the visitors were limited to 8-of-27 (30 percent) from the field and attempted just five free throws – hitting three – in its first loss of the 2023 calendar year.
Jaci Littell led a trio of Evangels (13-3, 7-3) in double-figure scoring with 18 points, all from behind the arc, with Whitney Outon adding 15 points and nine rebounds. Aneli Thomsen provided 10 points.
The hosts actually shot at a lower rate (42 percent), but attempted eight more field goals and used 19 Golden Eagle turnovers to produce 25 points off JBU miscues.
Junior Natalie Smith's triple tied the game at five apiece early on, but the visitors fell into a cold streak that resulted in just five points over the final 8:26 of the first quarter, shooting 2-of-10 from the floor and turning the ball over four times.
Meanwhile, Mid-America Christian knocked down 8-of-14 from the floor during the same stretch – including 4-of-5 from deep – to end the first on a 20-5 run and a commanding 25-10 advantage.
John Brown out-scored the Evangels 50-46 over the final three quarters, and used a 14-2 rally late in the fourth to pull within single digits for the first time since the first quarter. Mains produced a triple and a layup, as did Vanoverberghe, during the rally. MACU hit 5-of-6 from the line, however, ending a comeback bid despite a Stephens layup and a final triple from sophomore Emily Sanders in the final eight possessions of the game.
The Golden Eagles finally return home on Saturday afternoon (Jan. 14) when John Brown welcomes Southwestern Christian (Okla.) to Bill George Arena for the first home action of the calendar year, scheduled to tip at 2 p.m. The game can be seen live on the SAC Sports Network.
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