ORANGE CITY, Iowa -- Despite a career night from sophomore Sarah Snodgrass, the John Brown University women's basketball team fell in overtime, 78-74, to Pizza Ranch Classic host Northwestern (Iowa) on Friday evening (Nov. 7) inside the Bultman Center.
The Golden Eagles (0-3) watched a late fourth-quarter surge slip away in the extra frame, even as Snodgrass poured in 40 points and 12 rebounds for her third double-double of the young season. Her 40 points mark the third-highest single-game total in program history.
John Brown shot 45 percent from the field (26-of-58) and 35 percent from beyond the arc while holding the Red Raiders to just 15 percent (3-of-20) from three-point range. Northwestern countered with a 41 percent overall clip, outrebounding JBU 45-34 and producing 41 bench points to JBU's two.
Snodgrass went 14-of-29 from the floor, 9-of-13 at the stripe, and added a team-best 11 defensive rebounds. Sophomore Caelyn Ferguson supplied 17 points, six rebounds and two blocks on 6-of-13 shooting, while senior Abbey Sanders contributed 10 points and four assists.
With the Blue and Gold trailing by one entering the fourth quarter, the Golden Eagles regained control behind Snodgrass, who scored 14 in the final frame, including a go-ahead layup that capped a 27-point fourth-quarter effort. Northwestern's Ashtyn Wobig answered, though, tying the game at 68-68 in the final seconds to force overtime.
In overtime, Northwestern opened on a 7-0 run, pushing the margin to 75-68. Snodgrass knocked down three of four free throw attempts, and Ferguson buried a clutch three to close within one, 75-74, with 1:02 remaining. But Wobig split a pair at the line, and Jenna Kluxdal sealed it with a driving layup with 11 seconds left as JBU's final two possessions came up empty.
Margo Schuiteman led Northwestern (2-0) with 25 points off the bench, while Wobig and Kluxdal each finished with 15. Kylie Foss chipped in seven points and seven boards.
John Brown concludes the weekend on Saturday (Nov. 8), facing No. 1 Dordt (Iowa) in the Pizza Ranch Classic finale at 2 p.m. inside the Bultman Center.
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