SILOAM SPRINGS -- After three early ties during a defensive struggle, the Golden Eagles pieced together an early run that handed the hosts a comfortable double-digit lead the rest of the way as the John Brown University men's basketball team dispatched Central Christian (Kan.), 78-52, to win its third straight on Thursday night (Jan. 26) inside Bill George Arena.
Freshman Malachi Reeves hit a triple that broke a 6-6 tie and jump-started an 18-5 run that saw five different Golden Eagles post points as the hosts built a 24-11 lead. Triples from seniors DJ Ellis and Payton Guiot down the stretch solidified a 15-point lead at the intermission.
Largely behind a monster 15-point, 24-rebound performance from Jamir Spivey, the Tigers (6-15, 4-11 Sooner Athletic) hung around through the first half of the latter period, but back-to-back and-one plays from freshman Lukas Gabani and Guiot ended the Tigers' comeback aspirations. John Brown closed the game on a 25-12 run, holding CCCK to 4-of-13 from the field in the final 8:41.
Gabani hit 6-of-9 from the floor to net a team-high 14 points, adding six rebounds. Senior Tyren Collins added 12 points and seven boards, while Guiot battled for 11 points and adding six steals.
Eleven players scored for the Golden Eagles, which finished 38 percent from the field (27-of-71), but out-scored the Tigers 64-32 in the paint. The visitors battled with their goal all evening long, hitting just 18-of-60 from the field (30 percent) and converting just 4-of-20 from behind the arc.
JBU travels to No. 3 Langston (Okla.) on Saturday afternoon (Jan. 28) to face the Lions for the second time this season. The 3:45 p.m. scheduled tip will be carried live on the SAC Sports Network.
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