OKLAHOMA CITY -- Junior Emily Sanders drained a triple just before halftime to build a five-point Golden Eagle lead, but the John Brown University women's basketball team suffered through a difficult second-half scoring effort, dropping a 74-58 loss to Evangel (Mo.) on Friday (Nov. 10) afternoon inside the Gaulke Activity Center.
Sanders finished the afternoon with a team-leading 14 points and five rebounds, while senior Natalie Smith added 13 points on three triples.
John Brown (1-2) was out-rebounded 35-26 and committed 14 turnovers in the loss.
Hitting 9-of-12 from the floor in the second quarter, the Golden Eagles carried a 40-35 lead into the break, but the Valor (1-0) offense caught fire before the third quarter closed. Evangel finished on a 15-9 run to take a 57-53 lead into the final stanza.
JBU combined to shoot 1-of-12 from the floor in the fourth.
The Valor offense featured a trio in double-digit scoring, including Micah Clayton (15), Carson Dillard (13) and Jazzy Kirby (11).
John Brown will close out the MACU Classic with a noon tip-off contest with Bellevue (Neb.) on Saturday (Nov. 11) afternoon. The game will air live on the SAC Sports Network.
FOLLOW THE GOLDEN EAGLES
Don't miss a minute of the latest action surrounding JBU Athletics by following the Golden Eagles on Twitter (@JBUathletics), Instagram (@JBUathletics) and Facebook (/JBUathletics). Catch every Golden Eagle home game and select away games on the SAC Sports Network, available online or for download on your favorite streaming device.
