SILOAM SPRINGS -- Senior Tarrah Stephens scored a game-high 29 points, the visiting Rams shot a season low 31 percent from the field and the Golden Eagles used a pivotal run at the end of the third quarter that bled into the fourth, powering the John Brown University women's basketball team to an 83-70 win over No. 17 Texas Wesleyan on Saturday afternoon (Jan. 21) inside Bill George Arena.
The result was JBU's first win over a ranked opponent on the season (1-1), as the Rams (18-2, 13-1 Sooner Athletic) saw its 17-game winning streak – the nation's fourth-longest winning streak dating back to Nov. 12 – vanish while absorbing its first league loss of the year. Wesleyan had won its previous three trips to Siloam Springs.
In a game that saw the visitors jump on top 8-0 early on to John Brown (12-7, 6-7) ending the first half with a one-point lead, a stellar second quarter that featured a pair of triples from sophomore Graci Harris ended with the hosts in control, 39-32.
After the intermission, Wesleyan's Kertisa Amos scored eight points over seven minutes, lead the Ram charge back to within one possession, 51-49, before the Golden Eagles found its response.
With 1:52 left in the quarter and nursing a two-point lead, Stephens began to take over with six points in the final two minutes of the quarter. Enter the fourth, JBU received buckets from junior Natalie Smith, Harris, graduate student Maddie Altman and, of course, Stephens to complete a 15-5 response run over a 5:13 span. The scoring spurt – and holding TXWES to 2-of-10 shooting and a trio of turnovers during the rally – built a 12-point advantage for the hosts, 66-54, midway through the final quarter.
A quick 9-4 run from the visitors whittled the JBU lead back down to five, 70-65, but after a clutch mid-range jumper from Smith as the shot clock expired, the John Brown defense locked down over the final 2:20 of the game. The Rams could convert on only one of its final eight field goals, while the Golden Eagles converted 11-of-14 from the line to ice the upset win.
John Brown relied on efficiency from the line to clinch, hitting 24-of-31 from the charity stripe, led by Stephens 11-for-13 effort. After solving the press, JBU scored six points in transition in the fourth quarter, and forced Wesleyan into 20 turnovers – its third-highest miscue mark of the season.
Although TXWES' top four scorers, led by 18 from Amos, met their respective points expected, the Rams typically rely on around 30 points from the rest of the squad. This afternoon, the other Rams provided just 10 points, combing to shoot 3-of-16 (19 percent) from the field.
Stephens corralled eight rebounds – a team high – and three steals, while sophomore Emily Sanders contributed 16 points and six rebounds. Smith finished with 13 points and Harris came off the bench to produce 11 points – hitting 3-of-4 from behind the arc.
Although the Rams boasted a large 55-40 rebounding advantage, the hosts controlled the paint, 54-42, and turned 20 TXWES turnovers into 22 points.
JBU continues its three-game homestand on Tuesday night (Jan. 24) when it welcomes Oklahoma City to Siloam Springs for a 6 p.m. scheduled tip off as the Golden Eagles vie for the season sweep of the Stars. The contest will be carried live on the SAC Sports Network.
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