LANGSTON, Okla. -- The John Brown University women's basketball team stretched its winning streak to three behind a 34-point performance from senior Tarrah Stephens and a timely game-closing rally in a 74-67 win over Langston (Okla.) on Saturday afternoon (Jan. 28) inside the C.F. Gayles Fieldhouse.
Stephens turned in a season-high 34 points on 13-of-19 shooting and a 6-for-9 effort at the line, while adding seven rebounds. Junior Natalie Smith scored all five of her triples in the second half to finish with 16 points, and after Stephens exited the game briefly due to an injury, junior Bella Spindler came off the bench to score 12 points on 4-of-5 shooting, including a 4-for-5 mark at the line. Spindler capped off an incredible passing play with 16 seconds left with an old-fashioned three-pointer that iced the win.
All five players touch the ball, 26 seconds run off the clock, and a beautiful finish from Bella 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙪𝙡 ices the game and a giant road dub for #goJBU WBB! Final Stats » bit.ly/3wErd0S
Posted by John Brown University Athletics on Saturday, January 28, 2023
The Golden Eagles (15-6, 9-6 Sooner Athletic) held the Lions to just four second-chance points, and made the most of its eight offensive boards, producing 14 points off the extra possessions. The Lions (12-10, 7-9) turned 15 John Brown miscues into 15 points.
The visitors shot 52 percent from the field, its second-highest efficiency in a single game this season, pouring in 27-of-52 overall and connecting on nine of the 22 triples attempted. JBU is 10-1 this season when shooting over 44 percent.
Smith hit a deep triple from the left elbow of the arc, breaking the eighth tie, 62-62, of the afternoon, and sophomore Emily Sanders picked a perfect time for her only bucket of the afternoon on the next possession. Sanders drilled a beautiful trey from the right elbow, and after a defensive stop, Stephens drove baseline and finished off a reverse layup, handing the visitors a 70-64 lead.
Langston split at the line the next trip, and then, with the shot clock expiring Spindler's acrobatic layup at the left block finished off any Lions comeback hopes, especially by completing the three-point possession at the line after the foul. John Brown finished the final 2:56 of the game on a 12-5 run – hitting 4-for-5 from the field and hitting both triples and both free throws attempted.
The grudge match featured four lead changes – one in each quarter – and six ties in the second half. In a complete reversal from the first matchup of the season, this time it was the Golden Eagles controlling the boards, 38-29, with four players pulling down at least five rebounds.
Hailey Jordan scored 17 for Langston, but was held under 50 percent from the floor. Aniya Pride and Ayasha Thomas contributed 12 and 10 points, respectively, in the loss for the Lions, which shot just shy of 40 percent from the field (25-of-63).
John Brown returns to Bill George Arena on Tuesday (Jan. 31) to host Oklahoma City at 6 p.m. The game can be seen live on the SAC Sports Network.
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