LANGSTON, Okla. -- Despite a strong first-half showing from junior LePra George Jr. and junior Klei Nagode, the John Brown University men's basketball team fell to No. 8 Langston University (Okla.), 69-55, in Sooner Athletic Conference action on Saturday afternoon (Dec. 14) inside C.F. Gayles Fieldhouse.
The Golden Eagles (8-4, 6-2 Sooner Athletic) struggled offensively in the second half, scoring just 22 points on 29 percent shooting (6-of-21) after intermission. Langston (10-2, 7-2) capitalized on 15 offensive rebounds and enjoyed seven first-half triples as the Lions turned a slim halftime lead into the 14-point final margin.
George led JBU with 17 points, shooting 11-of-12 from the free throw line and adding five assists. Nagode shot a perfect 4-of-4 from the floor to finish with 10 points. The Golden Eagles committed 16 turnovers and paid dearly as the Lions converted the miscues into 21 points off miscues.
Langston's Bryce Monroe led all scorers with 25 points on 9-of-14 shooting from the field, while Amoro Lado added 14 points, including four triples. Jamison Epps rounded out the Lions' double-digit scorers with 10 points.
The game began with JBU taking using an 11-0 run, fueled by a 5-of-7 shooting burst, to take a 21-16 lead midway through the first half. Langston responded with a 10-2 run to retake a three-point lead, 26-23, but the Blue and Gold survived the response and rode three consecutive Nagode buckets in the post to trail by just two at the half, 35-33.
In the second half, Langston's defense tightened, and with the Golden Eagles trailing by just five, 48-43, the Lions rallied on a 13-0 run that ended the JBU comeback hopes as the visitors were only able to score a pair of field goals over the final 12 minutes of the contest.
The Golden Eagles outscored Langston 26-16 in the paint, but shot managed just two mid-range jumpers and four triples on the afternoon, finishing 27 percent (4-of-15) from behind the arc.
Langston held a narrow rebounding edge, 34-31, but shot 40 percent (23-of-57) from the field and attempted 12 more field goals thanks to turnovers and offensive boards.
The Golden Eagles will now recess for Christmas break and return to action for its west-side road trip on Thursday evening (Jan. 2) when the Golden Eagles take on Oklahoma Panhandle State in Goodwell at 7:45 p.m. Live coverage is scheduled on the SAC Sports Network.
JBU will take on conference-leading Wayland Baptist (Texas) the following Saturday inside the Hutcherson Center at 3:45 p.m.
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