FAYETTE, Mo. -- The John Brown University men's basketball team rallied late in regulation but couldn't hold a late overtime lead Monday (Nov. 10), falling 94-86 to Central Methodist (Mo.) at Puckett Field House as the Golden Eagles' three-game winning streak ended in the first road game of the season.
Junior Marko Malekinusic's triple gave JBU an 86-85 lead with 1:56 remaining in overtime, but Central Methodist (4-2) answered with a game-closing 9-0 run to pull away. Tyson Oghene hit a three-pointer 20 seconds after Malekinusic's go-ahead basket, and the Eagles sealed the victory by making six of eight free throws over the final 47 seconds while the Golden Eagles missed the final three shots from beyond the arc.
Junior Trae Oetting led John Brown (3-1) with a season-high 29 points on 10-of-22 shooting in 42 minutes. Malekinusic finished with 20 points and eight rebounds, while senior Donovan Lovelace scored 18 points before fouling out in overtime.
Isaiah Reams carried Central Methodist with 39 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists. He scored eight points in the extra period and made 12-of-14 free throws, including sinking three of four chances in the final minute to ice the game.
The Golden Eagles built a 37-30 halftime advantage and pushed the lead to 10 points early in the second half. Regulation ended tied at 74 after the Eagles rallied late.
Overtime featured five lead changes in the first four minutes. Senior LePra George's layup gave JBU the opening lead at 76-74, but neither team led by more than three until Central Methodist's late surge. Lovelace's pair of free throws with 3:35 left had given the Golden Eagles an 80-79 edge before CMU's Tommie Williams tied it with a three-point play. After Reams' layup put the Eagles ahead 85-83, Malekinusic appeared to answer the call with his second long-range shot of overtime.
The final 1:56 belonged to Central Methodist. Oghene's trey put the Eagles ahead 88-86, and JBU couldn't answer. Oetting misfired from deep with 1:12 left, and after Reams split a pair of free throws, Stewart's attempt from behind the arc also came up empty. Reams iced it with two more free throws, and Oetting's desperation heave at the buzzer fell short as the hosts completed the comeback.
Central Methodist held a 45-33 rebounding edge, including 17 offensive boards that produced 13 second-chance points. CMU also scored 26 points off 15 JBU turnovers.
John Brown shot 42 percent from the field (25-of-60) and made 12 triples. The visitors were clutch at the charity stripe and converted 24-of-26.
The Blue and Gold hosts Central Baptist (Ark.) on Saturday at 3 p.m. at Bill George Arena. Fans can watch the action live on the SAC Sports Network or the Urban Edge Network.
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