SILOAM SPRINGS, Ark. -- Behind a career-high 18 points from freshman Carter Carbonell, the John Brown University men's basketball team used a late run and a strong defensive effort to hold off Oklahoma Panhandle State, 58-51, in Sooner Athletic Conference play Thursday night (Feb. 13) inside Bill George Arena.
The Golden Eagles (17-8, 15-6 Sooner Athletic) overcame 16 turnovers by limiting the Aggies to just 33 percent shooting from the floor (19-of-57), including 1-of-13 (7 percent) from behind the arc.
The Aggies (11-15, 9-13) tied the game three times in the second half, including taking a late 49-47 lead with just over four minutes left in the game, but the Blue and Gold used a timely triple from sophomore Trae Oetting and four more points from Carbonell to power the hosts to a game-clinching 11-2 run.
Carbonell knocked down four triples and shot 6-of-10 from the field, and senior Drew Miller added 13 points and seven rebounds, converting 5-of-6 from the free throw line. Junior Elijah Lawrence contributed 12 points, six rebounds, and three steals, while Oetting finished with five points, eight rebounds, three assists, and a steal in a well-rounded performance.
John Brown shot 37 percent (19-of-51) from the field and 28 percent (7-of-25) from three-point range, but its plus-five rebounding margin (42-37) and defensive pressure helped contain the visiting Aggies.
Mike Carter led the Aggies with 13 points and 10 rebounds, while Amaree Brown added 12 points, four assists, and three steals. Abdulh Diaby chipped in eight points and five rebounds as OPSU controlled the interior, out-scoring JBU 36-23 in the paint.
Lawrence's personal 9-0 run expanded the John Brown lead to eight, 21-11, which the hosts held through the intermission.
The lead continued to remain at seven through the first half of the second frame, but OPSU then made its move, rallying on a 10-1 run to pull ahead, 49-47. Then the Golden Eagle defense stepped up and forced the visitors into an 0-5 rut over the final 4:05 of the game as JBU rode three consecutive buckets from junior LePra George Jr., Carbonell and Oetting to the win.
With the victory and three games remaining, John Brown remains just one game behind SAC-leading Nelson (Texas) in the SAC standings and will look to carry its momentum into a Saturday afternoon (Feb. 15) matchup against Wayland Baptist (Texas) inside Bill George Arena at 3:45 p.m. JBU is currently tied for second place with the Pioneers and Mid-America Christian (Okla.).
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