SILOAM SPRINGS, Ark. – Behind a dominant 19-rebound performance from freshman Sarah Snodgrass and a crucial 7-3 run to close the game, the John Brown University women's basketball team secured a 56-54 victory over North Texas at Dallas in Sooner Athletic Conference action on Saturday afternoon (Jan. 11) inside Bill George Arena.
In the battle of attrition, the Golden Eagles (9-7, 7-5 Sooner Athletic) out-rebounded UNTD 48-39 helping negate a season-high 23 turnovers as both teams struggled offensively. JBU shot 34 percent (21-of-61) from the floor and 26 percent (5-of-19) from deep, while the Trailblazers managed just 33 percent (23-of-70) overall and 30 percent (3-of-10) from behind the arc.
Snodgrass posted her 13th double-double of the season, finishing with 16 points on 8-of-10 shooting from the charity stripe and added eight offensive boards and a pair of assists. Freshman Caelyn Ferguson contributed 11 points, four rebounds, and two steals, while senior Graci Harris chipped in 10 points.
The Trailblazers (4-11, 3-10) leaned on Eryka Patton's 16 points and seven rebounds, while Skye Dugan added 15 points and three steals. De'Asia Johnson pulled down 14 rebounds to accompany six points in the loss.
After a sluggish start, JBU found itself trailing 16-11 after the first quarter, as the visitors capitalized on a 14-5 run to close the frame. The second quarter saw Snodgrass and Harris contribute six points apiece as JBU clawed back to within four at halftime, 32-28.
The Trailblazers maintained its lead into the third quarter, but freshman Carley Sexton came off the bench to provide a spark with a triple with 2:40 remaining and another bucket just before the one minute mark to keep the Blue and Gold within two, 45-43, with 10 minutes left to play.
A pair of Snodgrass conversions at the charity stripe finally tied the game with just under four minutes remaining, and then sophomore Abbey Sanders' second triple of the game started a game-clinching 7-3 run that was followed by another Snodgrass bucket after a defensive stop. Another stop allowed JBU to regain possession and Snodgrass sunk both at the line to build the hosts' lead to five, 56-51, with 56 second left. UNTD could only manage one more bucket on three possessions down the stretch as John Brown improved to 6-3 at home on the season.
Sanders and freshman Riley Gottsponer each chipped in with six points and seven boards in the win.
Armed with a two-game win streak entering the second half of the conference regular season round robin, the Golden Eagles will return to action on Saturday afternoon (Jan. 18) at College of the Ozarks (Mo.) inside Keeter Gymnasium. The 2 p.m. matchup will be streamed live on the SAC Sports Network.
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