SILOAM SPRINGS -- Senior Tyren Collins scored eight points during a 17-9 Golden Eagle run that closed out the first half to cap off the eleventh lead change of the period, and the John Brown University men's basketball team shot 52 percent in the second half to complete an 87-69 romp of Oklahoma City on Tuesday night (Feb. 14) inside Bill George Arena.
Senior Payton Guiot poured in six triples to finish with 18 points and seven rebounds to lead a Golden Eagle (11-15, 9-11 Sooner Athletic) offense that shot 49 percent and featured five double-digit scorers.
Oklahoma City's Kori Guest led all players with 20 points, while Brandon Jackson added 17, but the Stars (14-12, 12-8) – which entered the game third in the Sooner Athletic standings – couldn't overcome the third time this season with 20 turnovers or more as John Brown tallied 24 points off turnovers and out-rebounded the visitors by a 36-31 margin.
The squads traded buckets early on until City rallied on a 12-0 run over a 3:10 span to take a 21-11 lead. It was then John Brown's turn to make a run of its own, which it did, as the Golden Eagles pieced together a 25-8 streak that returned the lead back to JBU, 36-29, for good. The end of the run featured 10 consecutive points by the Golden Eagles.
Midway through the second half, John Brown still clung to a seven-point advantage, but a pair of buckets from freshman Josh Stewart, and two more from seniors James Beckom and DJ Ellis, powered JBU on a quick 9-0 run which took advantage of four consecutive empty Stars possessions. With the lead now expanded to 16, 80-64, the hosts ended the game on a final 7-2 rally while both teams emptied the benches.
The Golden Eagles scored 16 of the game's final 21 points.
Freshman Malachi Reeves and Beckom each shot 5-of-9 from the floor to score 12 points. Beckom completed his seventh double-double of the season with 10 rebounds. Stewart scored 11 points off the bench, while Collins tallied eight of his 10 points during the crucial first-half run.
The Golden Eagles shot 49 percent from the floor (33-of-67) and improved to 6-0 this season when shooting better than 48 percent. JBU also limited the Stars to just three free throws on the night, a season-best.
John Brown, now tied with North Texas at Dallas for the seventh seed, will end its four-game homestand on Thursday night (Feb. 16) when it welcomes Mid-America Christian (Okla.) to Bill George Arena for senior night. Tip off is scheduled for 7:45 p.m. and will be carried live on the SAC Sports Network.
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