McPHERSON, Kan. -- Sophomore Lukas Gabani and junior Drew Miller each posted a double-double, and the John Brown University men's basketball team survived 21 turnovers and a last-second layup and put-back effort as the Golden Eagles completed a 73-71 win over Central Christian (Kan.) in overtime on Thursday (Nov. 30) evening inside Jerry Alexander Arena.
A seven-point lead with just over three minutes remaining in regulation evaporated when Chris Whitten's triple at the buzzer fell, tying the contest for the ninth time and forcing overtime.
The Golden Eagle defense clamped down and forced Central Christian (2-4, 0-1 Sooner Athletic) into a 1-of-8 effort from the floor in the extra five minutes, including a last-second layup attempt by Omari Maulana and the put-back from Isaiah Perry, cementing John Brown's first overtime win since Feb. 16, 2023, a 101-96 win over Mid-America Christian (Okla.).
Behind three Gabani free throws – two on the final offensive possession – and a big-time Miller triple, JBU (2-0 Sooner Athletic) out-scored the Tigers 8-6 in the extra period.
"What an exciting game," admitted head coach Jason Beschta after the Golden Eagles improved to 4-3 overall on the season. "I'm so proud of how we kept playing hard and believing and made just enough plays to gut out the win.
"I thought Central Christian really made some things hard for us defensively and they hit some big shots tonight. I thought that our inside play was what helped get it done for us, highlighted especially by Lukas really being strong around the basket. It's exciting to see our posts respond these last couple games and rebound the ball with authority. We're going to just try to get better each day, continue to play with joy and have fun competing together."
Nine ties and six lead changes peppered the see-saw affair, but while the hosts knotted the game at the regulation buzzer, John Brown never trailed after Gabani's bucket down low handed the visitors a 55-54 lead with 5:30 left in regulation.
Miller scored 10 of his 15 points in the second half and finished with 11 rebounds and a pair of assists to clinch his second-consecutive double-double. Gabani broke out for a season-high 23 points on 7-of-11 shooting, returning to his freshman season form, and totaled 10 rebounds for his first double-double of the season.
Senior Tyren Collins came off the bench to provide 11 points and eight rebounds – including a buzzer-beating bucket to close out the first half. Sophomore Malachi Reeves chipped in with nine points, four rebounds and a game-high five helpers.
The John Brown bigs dominated the paint to the tune of 42-26, and the visitors efficiently converted only nine offensive rebounds into 16 second-chance points. CCCK scored just four points as a result of working the offensive glass. JBU also out-rebounded the hosts, 51-34.
While JBU shot just 23 percent behind the arc, inside the arc John Brown shot 52 percent (23-of-44). The Tigers doubled the Golden Eagles' three triples, but finished 36 percent (25-of-70) from the floor.
Whitten finished 7-of-18 for 22 points to lead Central Christian. Maulana added 18 points, but no other Tiger could score more than seven.
Ready to complete the three-game week, John Brown welcomes No. 3 Langston (Okla.) to Bill George Arena on Saturday (Dec. 2) afternoon in a matinee clash. Set to stream live on the SAC Sports Network, the game is scheduled for a 4 p.m. start time.
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