CHICKASHA, Okla. -- The Golden Eagles pieced together a 14-6 late in the fourth quarter and teed up a possible game-tying triple, but the shot wouldn't fall, allowing No. 19 Science & Arts (Okla.) to escape the John Brown University women's basketball team's upset bid on Thursday night (Jan. 19) inside the Drover Fieldhouse.
Senior Tarrah Stephens scored 17 points and sophomore Emily Sanders added 15, but the Drovers (17-2, 11-2 Sooner Athletic) boasted four double-digit scorers to sweep the season series with the Golden Eagles (11-7, 5-7).
Facing a nine-point deficit with 6:36 left in the contest, Sanders hit a layup and the Golden Eagles produced back-to-back triples from Stephens and graduate student Maci Mains to kick off a 14-6 rally that pulled the visitors within one, 64-63.
After Sanders converted a pair at the line, John Brown was forced to foul with 11 seconds remaining, producing a three-point deficit, 66-63, with possession of the ball. Junior Natalie Smith couldn't hit her fourth triple of the evening that would have tied the score, and the Drovers sealed with the win at the line after JBU was forced to foul.
Smith still hit three triples to finish with nine points and six rebounds. Both Stephens and Sanders grabbed seven boards apiece. John Brown turned 13 offensive rebounds into 18 second-chance points, and earned a 47-37 rebounding advantage on the night.
Turnovers again stymied the Golden Eagle upset bid as 20 visitor turnovers were converted into 19 Drover points.
USAO's shooting dropped significantly in the second half (32 percent), but the hosts ended hitting 25-of-58 (43 percent), compared to John Brown's efficiency which fell to 25 percent in the fourth quarter – despite the rally – that ended at a 36 percent (21-of-59) rate.
USAO's Bryanna Polk led all scorers with 20 points on 7-of-16 shooting, while Lainey Morrow added 16 points and nine rebounds. Diaka Berete netted 15, while Trinitee Alexander potted 13 points.
The Golden Eagles will now return home to begin a three-game homestand, starting by welcoming No. 17 Texas Wesleyan to Bill George Arena on Saturday afternoon (Jan. 21) for a 2 p.m. start. The SAC Sports Network will carry the matchup live.
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