OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. -- Despite a career-high 17 points off the bench from freshman Jack Ullom, the John Brown University men's basketball team couldn't close out a late comeback, falling 74-72 in a hard-fought battle at Mid-America Christian (Okla.) in Sooner Athletic Conference action on Thursday night (Jan. 30) inside Gaulke Activity Center.
The Golden Eagles (13-8, 11-6 Sooner Athletic) shot an efficient 45 percent (24-of-53) from the floor and knocked down eight three-pointers but couldn't overcome a strong finish by the Evangels (17-5, 13-5), which secured the win with clutch free-throw shooting and a pair of layups in the final minutes to overcome a 64-63 John Brown advantage with five minutes left in the matchup.
Ullom led the way for JBU, finishing with 17 points and five rebounds while shooting 3-of-4 from beyond the arc and 6-of-8 overall from the floor. Senior Trae Oetting delivered a balanced performance with 15 points, seven rebounds, and three assists while converting all six of his free-throw attempts while junior LePra George Jr. added 10 points on 5-of-6 shooting at the stripe.
JBU held a 35-28 rebounding edge and received a major boost from its bench, which contributed 33 points. However, 16 turnovers and 16 points allowed off those mistakes proved costly in a game that remained within a single possession for much of the second half. The contest finished with 11 tie scores and 10 lead changes throughout.
Mid-America Christian leaned on Juwan White's 17 points, five assists, and a perfect 8-of-8 effort from the charity stripe, while Josiah Fulcher added 16 points and six rebounds. Tarrence Gaines chipped in 16 points, including three triples, and finished with three steals as the Evangels forced 16 turnovers and converted them into crucial points.
The first half featured eight lead changes, with neither team leading by more than six points. JBU briefly took control late in the period as George and senior Drew Miller combined for 15 first-half points, helping the Golden Eagles remain down by just two, 37-35, at the intermission.
In the second half, JBU extended its advantage to three points following a triple from junior Elijah Lawrence, but MACU responded with a 15-3 run, capitalizing on JBU's turnovers and cold shooting stretch to swing momentum. Despite the Evangels pushing the lead to seven, JBU fought back in the final minutes, tying the game at 62 following a 7-0 Golden Eagle flurry with five minutes remaining.
After White hit a two pairs of free throws to give MACU a five-point lead, the Golden Eagles used a late Ullom triple to pull within one, 71-70, the visitors allowed the Evangels to run the entire shot clock before Fulcher's layup extended the margin to three. While Oetting converted a pair at the line, JBU was forced to foul quickly, and Fulcher split his trip to the line with six seconds left.
The loss keeps JBU out of the conference lead for another day, but deep in a murky swarm of teams vying for positioning for the postseason tournament. John Brown will return home to face Southwestern Christian (Okla.) on Saturday afternoon (Feb. 1) inside Bill George Arena at 3:45 p.m. Fans can catch all the action live on the SAC Sports Network.
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