CHICKASHA, Okla. -- Although boasting four Golden Eagles in double-figure scoring, including a team-high 17 points from junior Drew Miller, Science & Arts (Okla.) shot 46 percent floor and took advantage of a slow start to beat the John Brown University men's basketball team, 82-59, on Thursday night (Feb. 15) inside the Drover Fieldhouse.
Miller scored three of his five field goals from behind the arc and hit all four chances at the line for John Brown (13-11, 11-8 Sooner Athletic). Sophomore Malachi Reeves drained 6-of-18 from the field to contribute 16 points and eight rebounds, while sophomores Josh Stewart and Tristan Batie each contributed 11 points apiece off the bench. Batie's total was a career-high effort.
A dozen different players scored in the win for USAO (18-7, 13-6), led by Reggie Quezada's 19 points and six rebounds. The Drovers have now won four of its last five.
Rory Pantophlet also delivered a big performance with 13 points on 4-of-8 shooting from the field, hitting both attempts from three-point range. Jaden Harrell finished only three points, one rebound and one assist shy of a triple-double, contributing seven points on 2-of-2 shooting from the field and 3-of-4 shooting at the charity stripe. The point guard also dished out nine assists and hauled in nine rebounds.
Science & Arts came out hot, hitting half of its attempts through the first 11:06 (10-of-20) and roared out to a commanding 24-2 lead. The Golden Eagles scored just once on its first 16 field goal attempts. After the rough start, the visitors finished off the first half on a 19-13 run, powered by 10 points from Miller, to pull within 16 at the intermission, 37-21.
The hosts opened the second half on a quick 11-1 run, but Batie came off the bench down the stretch and scored 11 second half points during a 20-7 Golden Eagle rally to pull back within 16, 69-53.
With the loss, John Brown falls to 3-10 when shooting under 40 percent. JBU finished at a 29 percent (19-of-65) efficiency, converting on just 24 percent from long range (9-of-38).
The Drovers nearly doubled up JBU in the paint, 34-18, and converted 10 Golden Eagle miscues into an 11-2 points off turnovers advantage.
John Brown returns home to play Saturday afternoon (Feb. 17) against Texas Wesleyan at 3:45 p.m. The contest will be aired live on the SAC Sports Network.
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