SILOAM SPRINGS, Ark. -- Junior LePra George posted a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds in his Golden Eagle debut to lead John Brown University men's basketball team to a decisive season-opening 87-53 victory over Barclay (Kan.) in the 41st iteration of the World-Famous Toilet Paper Game on Saturday evening (Oct. 26) inside Bill George Arena.
George's layup at the 18:44 mark prompted the annual throwing of the toilet paper, commemorating 41 years of the beloved John Brown University tradition.
John Brown (1-0) overcame rust and turnovers in its first outing of the new campaign, and eventually received additional contributions from senior Drew Miller and junior Josh Stewart, who scored 13 and 11 points, respectively, helping the Golden Eagles establish control in a first-half closing run and then maintain a commanding lead throughout the second half.
The Golden Eagles worked to a 53-27 rebounding advantage and put up five blocks, including a pair from junior Klei Nagode, and earned 59 of its points in the paint (68 percent).
In the first half, JBU's defense stifled Barclay's offense, forcing 14 turnovers and holding the visitors below 40 percent shooting. The Golden Eagles finally rode a trio of Miller buckets down the stretch and ended the first 20 minutes on a 16-6 run that broke open a 40-26 lead at the intermission.
The hosts began the second half quickly, mounting a 14-2 run, opening up a 26-point advantage, 54-28. The different would hover in the high-20s and low-30s for the remainder of the evening, even while head coach Jason Beschta emptied his bench late in the contest. Reserves produced 28 of John Brown's points, and the Golden Eagles shot 50 percent (14-of-28) from the floor in the second half as it ran away.
JBU finished 43 percent (29-of-68) from the field and connected on a third of its shots from long range (8-of-24). Despite both teams committing 22 turnovers, the hosts made the Bears pay, finishing with a 28-12 advantage in points off turnovers.
Barclay (0-2) was led by Jameer Satchell's 17 points and five steals, though the visitors struggled to gain momentum, converting only 5-of-9 from the charity stripe and going 0-for-10 from beyond the arc.
JBU will field its first ranked test quickly, when the Golden Eagles travel to Conway, Ark. to take on No. 14 Central Baptist on Friday night (Nov. 1). John Brown is 13-1 against the Mustangs since 2007, but lost its last trip into the Ozark Mountains in 2022.
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