SILOAM SPRINGS, Ark. – Shooting over 50 percent from the floor for the third consecutive contest, the John Brown University men's basketball team produced six double-digit scorers and crossed the century mark for the second time this season in a 107-76 drubbing of Science & Arts (Okla.) on Saturday afternoon (Dec. 7) inside Bill George Arena.
The Golden Eagles (7-3, 5-1 Sooner Athletic) delivered its most complete performance of the season, shooting 56 percent from the floor (39-of-70) and an impressive 49 percent from three-point range (18-of-37). The victory marked the team's first triple-digit scoring effort of the year and its largest margin of victory in league action.
Senior Drew Miller and junior Josh Stewart paced the Golden Eagles with a combined 35 points. Miller contributed 17 points, shooting 6-of-15 from the floor with five triples, while adding eight rebounds and five assists. Stewart posted a team-high 18 points on an efficient 8-of-10 shooting night, along with four rebounds and four assists. Junior LePra George Jr. and freshman Jack Ullom chipped in 13 points apiece, while junior Elijah Lawrence added 11 points, all in the second half.
Freshman Nathan Vachon rounded out the double-digit scorers with 11 points on 4-of-8 shooting.
Science & Arts (3-6, 2-4) started strong, hitting six of its first 11 shots to grab a 12-7 lead early in the first half. However, the Golden Eagles responded with a 12-7 run of its own to tie the score at 19 past the midway point of the first. From then on, it was all John Brown.
Vachon (twice), Miller and Ullom each hit triples and the Golden Eagles pieced together a 19-2 run to pull ahead by 17, 38-21. The lead was whittled down to 14 by the intermission thanks to Drover free throw shooting, but the second half spelled more of the same hot JBU shooting from everywhere.
JBU extended its dominance in the second half, outscoring the Drovers 58-41. The Golden Eagles shot 59 percent from the field after the break and dished out 10 assists on 17 made field goals. A 16-7 run to open the second half opened the floodgates, and triples from freshman Carter Carbonell and Lawrence down the stretch extended JBU's lead to 31 points, its largest margin of the game. Vachon's late triple ensured six Golden Eagles players reached double figures, highlighting the team's depth.
Defensively, the Golden Eagles held Science & Arts to just 21 percent shooting from beyond the arc (3-of-14) and forced 13 turnovers, which JBU converted into 20 points. Despite USAO scoring 56 points in the paint, JBU won the battle of the boards, outrebounding the visitors 34-31. The bench played a key role, contributing 47 points in the win, led by Ullom, Vachon and Lawrence.
Ryein Kennedy recorded a game-high 30 points on 11-of-19 shooting for the Drovers, while Tyler Cauley added eight rebounds. Despite shooting 46 percent from the field (27-of-58) and converting 23 at the charity stripe (79 percent), Science & Arts struggled to keep pace with JBU's efficient offense and deep rotation.
The Golden Eagles will look to end its three-game homestand with a win on Thursday (Dec. 12) when JBU welcomes Central Christian (Kan.) to Bill George Arena for a 7:45 p.m. tipoff. Fans can catch the action live on the SAC Sports Network.
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