OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Golden Eagles began the contest on a slow start, falling behind 20-6 midway through the first half, and the John Brown University men's basketball team absorbed a 70-54 setback on Saturday afternoon (Jan. 13) inside the Gaulke Activity Center, ending the team's five-game winning streak.
Senior Tyren Collins scored eight of his team-leading 15 points in the first half, and sophomore Malachi Reeves netted nine of his 10 points in the second half – including a triple that cut the Evangels (10-5, 6-3 Sooner Athletic) lead to a half-low 11 points, 60-49, with 2:49. MACU finished the game on a 10-5 run to seal John Brown's (9-5, 7-2) first loss of 2024.
"One thing that stands out with this team is that it's full of guys who believe in each other and won't ever quit," head coach Jason Beschta pointed out after the game. "MACU played a really good game against us today, and we just didn't do well in some key areas, and it ended up being too much for us to overcome in this one.
"Our effort was still high, but it just wasn't our game today. Again, our opponent certainly had a lot to do with that, but we will regroup, continue to play with joy, push each other and believe in the special group that we have."
John Brown shot 34 percent (17-of-50) from the floor, its lowest percentage in a 10-game stretch since a 77-57 setback at No. 25 Florida College in November. The hosts hit 44 percent of its attempts (26-of-59) and took advantage of a season-worst 26 Golden Eagle turnovers, converting the miscues into 22 points.
The visitors did heavily out-rebound MACU, 46-31, but the Evangels held a 14-0 advantage over JBU in points coming in transition.
Junior Drew Miller finished 8-of-9 at the stripe to contribute 13 points and a team-high eight rebounds.
Mid-America Christian had four players score double figures with Mikel Henderson leading the way with 14 points.
John Brown returns to action on Thursday night (Jan. 18) to close out a quick two-game road trip with a battle at Texas Wesleyan. Tipoff is set for 7:45 p.m. and the game will air live on the SAC Sports Network. Then, on Saturday (Jan. 20), JBU will host Science & Arts (Okla.) in a matinee contest.
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