LANGSTON, Okla. -- Despite both teams shooting at season-low percentages, the Golden Eagles held Langston (Okla.) to its worst offensive output of the season as the No. 21 John Brown University women's basketball team used free throws to avoid a huge comeback to complete a 50-44 win inside C.F. Gayles Fieldhouse on Saturday afternoon (Jan. 27).
JBU (17-3, 14-0 Sooner Athletic) held a commanding 13-point lead after three quarters, 40-27, and had suffocated the Lion (15-4, 10-3) offense to a mere 22 percent shooting effort (10-of-45) through the first 30 minutes of action. But then the hosts opened the fourth quarter with a run and came within a bucket.
Langston embarked on a 14-2 run over the first 6:51 of the fourth quarter as the visitors shot 1-of-6 over the span, allowing the Lions to pull within one, 42-41.
Senior Natalie Smith then came up with her third triple of the game, and the Golden Eagle defense again rose to the challenge by allowing just three Lion points over the hosts' final six possessions. JBU hit 5-of-6 at the line in the final minute to half the Langston comeback bid.
The win continues John Brown's program-best 15-game heater, and the Golden Eagles became the first squad in the conference to clinch a guaranteed appearance in the Sooner Athletic tournament.
The Lions were limited to season-lows in both points (44) and shooting percentage (26 percent) as the Golden Eagles held the hosts to 18 points below its previous scoring low and 29 points below the Lions' season scoring average.
LU's Hailey Jordan scored a game-high 15 points before fouling out, and Koreea Kirksey added nine points off the bench in the Lions' second loss in three games.
Smith led the Golden Eagle scoring effort with 14 points on three triples and 5-of-6 shooting from the line. Senior Tarrah Stephens added nine points, nine rebounds and three blocks, while senior Emily Sanders contributed eight points and six rebounds.
Senior Leah Anderson Came off the bench to provide 14 huge minutes, hitting all three shots attempted from the field – including one free throw – and registering a pair of thefts.
John Brown now heads out on its longest road trip of the conference season to take on Oklahoma Panhandle State and Wayland Baptist (Texas) next weekend. The Golden Eagles will first face off with the Aggies inside Anchor D Arena on Thursday night (Feb. 1) at 6 p.m. before taking on the Flying Queens in Plainview on Saturday. Both games will air live on the SAC Sports Network.
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