OKLAHOMA CITY -- The John Brown University women's basketball team got off to a slow start in the opening frame at the Mid-America Christian (Okla.) classic on Friday night, and despite their best efforts, the Golden Eagles were unable to recover as they fell 77-72 to the Mission University (Mo.) Patriots inside the Gaulke Activity Center.
JBU (0-2) got double-figure scoring efforts from four of their five starters, and they were able to essentially match the Pioneers (3-0) shooting the ball, but JBU struggled to take care of the basketball, and that proved to be the difference.
JBU shot 39.7 percent (25-of-63) from the floor in the game, and they allowed Mission to shoot 42 percent (28-of-67) from the floor. The Golden Eagles dominated on the glass, claiming a 47-37 rebounding advantage, including a 16-11 edge in offensive rebounds, but the story of the night were the turnovers. JBU turned over the basketball 23 times to only 14 for Mission, and that led to a Pioneers' edge in points off turnovers, 24-15, though JBU did have a 14-6 edge in fast break points. JBU also out-scored Mission in the paint (44-40) and on second chance opportunities (16-10). Each team recorded 16 assists.
In the opening quarter, JBU suffered from 12 turnovers that led directly to 12 points for Mission, and after 10 minutes of play, JBU trailed 19-10. The margin swelled to 14 points for Mission mid-way through the second frame, but JBU closed the half on a 15-5 run over the final 5:36 of the first half, and at intermission, JBU had cut their deficit to 35-31.
In the third quarter, JBU continued to battle, as they trimmed the lead down to as few as a single point 48-47 with 1:09 to play in the period, but they were unable to get the game tied. A bucket late in the frame from freshman guard Carley Sexton pulled the Golden Eagles to within a single score at 51-49 entering the final frame.
Fellow freshman Sarah Snodgrass tied the score at 51 with a pair of free throws just more than a minute into the fourth frame, and the game remained close throughout the frame, though JBU was not able to take the lead at any point. Freshman Caelyn Ferguson drew JBU level for the final time in the game with 7:24 to play, and over the final seven minutes, Mission inched out in front, and the Patriots held on for the 77-72 win.
Snodgrass had a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds, Ferguson tallied 16 points and seven rebounds, and she played all 40 minutes. Sophomore Abbey Sanders tallied 11 points with eight rebounds, five assists, and five steals; and freshman Riley Gottsponer led the way with 18 points and eight rebounds.
The Blue and Gold will return to the court quickly, taking on Cottey (Mo.) in day two of the MACU Classic, with the tip slated for noon. The tilt will be broadcast live on the SAC Sports Network.
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