SILOAM SPRINGS -- The Golden Eagles could only manage a 31 percent shooting effort in the first half limited the John Brown University men's basketball team in making a comeback as a 15-point halftime deficit was too much to overcome as Southwestern A.G. (Texas) escaped Bill George Arena with an 85-70 decision on Saturday afternoon (Feb. 10).
Junior Drew Miller finished with a team-leading 23 points in a double-double performance which he nabbed 10 rebounds. Sophomore Malachi Reeves added 14 points and seven rebounds while sophomores Lukas Gabani and Josh Stewart rounded out the JBU double-digit scoring with 12 and 11 points, respectively.
Reeves hit a pair from the line on John Brown's first possession of the game for a 2-0 lead, but the visiting Lions (17-7, 13-5 Sooner Athletic) then responded with a 14-3 scoring run where the Golden Eagles (13-10, 11-7) fell into a 1-of-8 shooting slump over the next 4:36. SAGU never relinquished the lead, finishing the game at a 55 percent shooting mark (32-of-58), including 15 triples.
A late 13-7 Golden Eagle rally over the final 4:09 of the game closed the gap to 12, 80-68, but the visitors' defense held John Brown to misses on the final two possessions.
After a tough first half, the hosts rallied to shoot 45 percent (15-of-33) from the floor in the final 20 minutes, scoring toe-to-toe with Southwestern A.G. in the second half (42-42).
JBU held advantages in points off turnovers (11-7), points in the paint (43-31), second-chance points (16-3) and rebounding (36-32), but the Lions' 55 percent shooting effort proved too difficult to overcome.
Corland Blake hit 9-of-13 overall to record a double-double – 24 points and 10 rebounds, but Noah Jonker came off the bench and proved to be a dagger in the John Brown comeback effort as he connected on 6-of-7 from deep to contribute 18 points. CJ Hall also scored 18 points to accompany six helpers, while Alerick Hall added 13 points, largely off a 3-of-4 shooting effort from behind the arc.
The Golden Eagles won the first matchup of the season in Waxhachie, leaving the Sheaffer Center with an 86-77 win over SAGU behind a 25-point effort from senior Tyren Collins.
The win keeps John Brown in sixth place in the Sooner Athletic standings with four games remaining. SAGU maintains a tie with Wayland Baptist in the runner-up position. No. 2 Langston (Okla.) is one win away from wrapping up the league's regular season title.
JBU returns to action on Thursday (Feb. 15) when the Golden Eagles take on Science & Arts (Okla.) inside the Drover Fieldhouse. Scheduled to tip at 7:45 p.m., the matchup will air live on the SAC Sports Network.
FOLLOW THE GOLDEN EAGLES
Don't miss a minute of the latest action surrounding JBU Athletics by following the Golden Eagles on Twitter (@JBUathletics), Instagram (@JBUathletics) and Facebook (/JBUathletics). Catch every Golden Eagle home game and select away games on the SAC Sports Network, available online or for download on your favorite streaming device.
