SILOAM SPRINGS -- Senior Tarrah Stephens scored a season-high 28 points, the Golden Eagle defense earned stops on two of three chances down the stretch and the John Brown University women's basketball team rode a game-ending 9-2 to complete a 65-62 comeback win over Langston (Okla.) on Saturday (Dec. 2) afternoon inside Bill George Arena.
Down by as many as 13 midway through the third quarter, the Golden Eagles (6-3) showed resiliency despite a poor shooting night from behind the arc, and used strong post play and converting at the line to secure its first 3-0 start in Sooner Athletic action since the 2013-14 season.
While the lead still remained at six for the Lions with 8:53 remaining, the hosts went to work and used a 6-2 rally over the next few minutes to pull within two, 54-52. The Lions (6-2, 1-1), meanwhile, scored six of the game's next 10 points to keep the lead to two possessions, 60-56 with just over three to play.
After a pair of misses, the JBU defense went to work and got its first pivotal stop before junior Emily Sanders fed Stephens in the left post for a layup, narrowing the margin to two. Another John Brown stop gave way for Stephens to work her way to the line for a pair, knotting the game at 60 apiece.
Kameron Shelley's bucket on the next trip down the court did return the temporary lead back to the Lions, but junior Graci Harris' drive to the left post drew a foul, sending her to the line for a pair. Both found the bottom of the bucket, tying the game for the ninth time at 62.
The Golden Eagles, feeling the momentum, posted its third timely defensive stand, forcing Langston into a difficult shot as senior Natalie Smith secured the carom. Twenty seconds later on offense, Smith fed Stephens again in the left post for a turn-around layup and John Brown's first lead since 16-14 in the first quarter.
Harris took an uncalled charge in the paint with 12 seconds remaining, Stephens dove for the loose ball, kicked it to Smith and Smith charged upcourt and took all but .3 seconds off the remaining time to clinch the win.
Stephens crossed the 20-point mark for the second time this season with a game-high effort off 9-of-19 shooting from the floor while landing nine rebounds. Sanders was the other Golden Eagle in double-figure scoring with 15 points on 3-of-5 shooting from behind the arc. Harris chipped in with nine points and three assists, while senior Bella Irlenborn contributed six points and nine rebounds.
Uncharacteristically, John Brown ended the afternoon just 4-of-22 from long range (18 percent) but out-scored Langston 44-26 in the paint and took advantage of a 19-of-22 effort from the charity stripe. The Lions finished the game just 1-of-1 at the line.
Kamesha Moore and Hailey Jordan each poured in 17 points apiece for Langston, with Moore grabbing nine missed shots. Kameron Shelley pulled down five offensive rebounds and added 15 points.
Both teams shot 39 percent from the field, and the visitors controlled just one more rebound than the Golden Eagles, 39-38. Langston turned 18 offensive rebounds into 21 second-chance points.
After a long three-game week, John Brown will rest until Thursday (Dec. 7) evening when the Golden Eagles play host to Oklahoma Panhandle State, live on the SAC Sports Network. The game is scheduled to tip at 6 p.m. as JBU looks to improve to 3-0 inside Bill George Arena.
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