SILOAM SPRINGS -- A season-high shooting effort of 50 percent from the floor powered six Golden Eagles into double-figure scoring as the John Brown University men's basketball team erupted for nearly triple digits in a 91-73 win over Oklahoma City on Tuesday (Nov. 28) evening inside Bill George Arena.
A career night from junior Drew Miller and a 8-of-13 efficiency from the field produced a double-double with 21 points and 14 rebounds, including five on the offensive boards. Sophomore Malachi Reeves converted four triples from behind the arc to finish with 18 points, seven rebounds and four assists, while freshman Ahlante Askew added 12 points and four assists.
Senior Tyren Collins and freshman Trae Oetting each contributed 10 points apiece off the bench.
In what was otherwise a statistically even matchup, the Golden Eagles grabbed a season-high 14 offensive rebounds and produced a 20-10 advantage in second-chance points as the hosts attempted eight more field goals. John Brown (3-3, 1-0 Sooner Athletic) also shot 11-of-26 from long range (42 percent), while limiting the visiting Stars to a 25 percent mark (6-of-24), fueling John Brown to a conference-opening victory.
Six ties and four lead changes peppered the first 17 minutes of the contest, but the final 3:09 of the first half provided the Golden Eagles the padding it would ride for the rest of the evening.
Oetting's triple was immediately followed by a bucket from Miller on the next possession, and suddenly the Golden Eagles rallied on a 20-2 half-closing run that featured five different scorers as JBU shot 7-of-8 from the floor and left Oklahoma City (2-4, 0-1) without points on six of seven possessions, including three turnovers.
Reeves hit his fourth triple of the first half and later converted an old-fashioned triple as the hosts' lead ballooned to 20 at the end of the first half, 52-32.
John Brown enjoyed the lead until a five-minute spurt from Oklahoma City where the Stars hit 7-of-8 from the field, allowing the visitors to pull within 12, 75-63, after a 22-6 run. Consecutive buckets from Oetting and sophomore Klei Nagode ended the run as the Golden Eagles shot 55 percent from the floor over the final 5:31 to stave off any further Oklahoma City notions of a comeback effort.
Brandon Jackson led all Stars with 19 points in the loss, while Avery Jackson and Yorgio Golesis contributed 14 and 13 points respectively. The John Brown defense limited the Oklahoma City trio to 15-of-35 from the field (43 percent) as none of the group could manage more than five field goals on the evening.
The Golden Eagles will now travel to McPherson, Kan. to take on Central Christian in the second of three games on the week. The contest will be carried live on the SAC Sports Network, slated for an 8 p.m. tip on Thursday (Nov. 30) evening from inside Jerry Alexander Arena.
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.
