OKLAHOMA CITY -- Sophomore Abbey Sanders scored a career-high 27 points and head coach Sydni Salvato recorded her first win as Golden Eagle bench boss as the John Brown University women's basketball team held off a comeback effort in the final minutes of a 67-61 win over Cottey (Mo.) on Saturday afternoon (Nov. 9) inside the Gaulke Activity Center.
The Golden Eagles shot nearly 42 percent from the field (22-of-53), including over 38 percent from long distance (10-of-26), and converted nearly 77 percent at the foul line (13-of-17). JBU controlled the boards, winning the rebounding battle 34-28, and held the edge in fast break points (10-3), points off turnovers (13-12), and second-chance points (8-2).
The first quarter was closely contested, but in the second period, the Blue and Gold took control. JBU led for all but 28 seconds of the quarter and went up by as many as 12 while shooting 50 percent from both the field (8-of-16) and beyond the arc (2-of-4). This effort gave JBU a 22-13 advantage in the second period, taking a 34-26 lead into halftime.
Cottey mounted a comeback in the third quarter as JBU struggled offensively after the break. The Golden Eagles managed only four field goals in the quarter, including just one 3-pointer, while Cottey hit 5-of-7 3-point attempts, allowing the Comets to take a 47-46 lead into the final frame.
The Comets opened the fourth quarter with an 8-0 run, extending their lead to 54-46 just two minutes into the period. A quick 5-0 spurt by JBU cut the deficit to four at 55-51 with 5:13 remaining. Though Cottey briefly pushed the lead back to six, Sanders took over, hitting three consecutive 3-pointers to turn a 57-51 deficit into a 60-59 lead within 1:15 of game time.
JBU's defense clamped down, holding Cottey to 1-of-6 shooting and forcing two turnovers in the final four minutes. Meanwhile, JBU shot 3-of-4 from the field, 2-of-3 from long range, and made all five free throws, closing the game on a 13-2 run to secure the 67-61 victory.
Sanders' 27 points came on 8-of-15 shooting, including a scorching 7-of-11 from beyond the arc. Senior Gracie Harris joined Sanders in double figures with 18 points, while freshmen Sarah Snodgrass and Carley Sexton led with seven rebounds and five assists, respectively.
JBU returns to Bill George Arena on Wednesday evening (Nov. 13), for a non-conference matchup against winless McPherson (Kan.), with tipoff set for 6 p.m. on the SAC Sports Network.
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