SILOAM SPRINGS, Ark. -- The John Brown University men's basketball team delivered one of its most complete opening halves of the season on Saturday afternoon (Nov. 22), building an early lead and sustaining it through a deep rotation in a 96–64 victory over Oklahoma Panhandle State inside Bill George Arena to end a three-game skid.
Junior Trae Oetting led the way with 24 points on 9-of-14 shooting, marking his fourth game this season with 20 or more. Senior Connor Kern added a season-best 14 points and collected six rebounds and three blocks, helping the Golden Eagles (4-3, 1-1 Sooner Athletic) control the interior and set an early tone on the defensive end.
John Brown opened the afternoon with pace and efficiency, turning an early advantage into a commanding lead midway through the first half. Oetting knocked down five triples in the period, Kern added seven early points, and the Golden Eagles used ball movement and shooting to assemble a 38-15 margin before the Aggies found rhythm. JBU ultimately entered halftime ahead 53-21 after shooting 54 percent from the floor and assisting on 14 of its 20 first-half field goals.
The hosts continued to score consistently after the break. A pair of baskets from sophomore Donovan Lovelace and a three from sophomore Jordan Martin stabilized the offense as the rotations widened, and JBU maintained a double-digit edge throughout the second half. The Golden Eagles finished with 44 bench points, receiving contributions from across the lineup. Lovelace tallied 15 points, sophomore Carter Carbonell added eight, and senior Klei Nagode posted five points and five rebounds.
In total, 10 Golden Eagles scored at least three points as John Brown shot 53 percent from the field (35-of-66) and posted a 51-34 rebounding advantage. Senior Josh Stewart distributed a team-high seven assists while freshman Maliq Sosa controlled the defensive glass with eight boards.
Oklahoma Panhandle State (1-5, 0-2 SAC) was led by Christian Campbell's 22 points and Aaron Williams Jr.'s 20, but the Aggies struggled to convert efficiently, finishing 23-of-74 from the field (31 percent) and 12-of-42 from long range (29 percent). OPSU was limited to 19 points in the paint and scored just five points off turnovers as the Golden Eagles controlled most half-court sequences.
John Brown resumes its homestand on Tuesday evening (Nov. 25), hosting College of the Ozarks for a 6 p.m. tip before Thanksgiving break. The contest is slated to air live on the SAC Sports Network and the Urban Edge Network.
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