SILOAM SPRINGS, Ark. -- Behind a game-high 26 points from sophomore Trae Oetting and 19 free throws, the John Brown University men's basketball team outlasted the Pioneers, 75-72, in a pivotal win over Wayland Baptist in Sooner Athletic Conference play on Saturday afternoon (Feb. 15) inside Bill George Arena.
A late triple from the SAC's leading scorer, Quenton Coleman, tied the game at 62 apiece with 39 seconds remaining, but six different Golden Eagles scored in the extra frame, including a thunderous Klei Nagode flush as the hosts converted on 9-of-14 from the charity stripe to seal a win that moves the Blue and Gold all alone into second place with two games remaining.
The Golden Eagles (18-8, 16-6 Sooner Athletic) secured its fifth consecutive win in large part to Oetting as he delivered six of JBU's 10 triples and added six rebounds and three steals. Senior Drew Miller chipped in 12 points, hitting three triples, along with three assists and four rebounds, while junior Elijah Lawrence contributed 10 points, seven rebounds, and three assists.
Jack Ullom provided a strong defensive effort – especially in overtime, finishing with eight points, two blocks, and two steals off the bench.
John Brown shot 37 percent (23-of-63) from the floor and 31 percent (10-of-32) from three-point range, but the Golden Eagles made up for their shooting struggles by converting 20 Wayland Baptist miscues into 22 points off turnovers. It was the second-most turnovers in a game this season for the Pioneers.
For Wayland Baptist (15-11, 15-7 SAC), Kabine Kaba led the way off the bench with a double-double to finish with 19 points and 11 rebounds, converting 10-of-14 free throws. Coleman also tallied 19 points and dished out five assists, while Brett Leach added 12 points and 11 rebounds for the double-double.
Despite out-rebounding John Brown 53-40 and scoring 41 points in the paint, the Pioneers struggled from deep, shooting just 22 percent (7-of-32) from behind the arc.
John Brown built an early 17-10 lead after three triples from Oetting, and Miller, but Wayland Baptist responded with a 8-3 run, to stick close at 24-23. The teams traded triples late, including a deep Miller trey, to stay within one possession at the intermission, 30-28. Oetting scored 12 of his 26 points before the break.
In the second half, a 12-4 Pioneer run out of the gates handed the visitors its first lead of the game, 40-34, but a pair of buckets from Ullom and consecutive Oetting field goals kept the hosts within one, 51-50, with 8:45 left. Fresh off his career-high showing on Thursday night, freshman Carter Carbonell came off the bench to provide a triple and another basket to return the lead to JBU, 57-54, with under five minutes to play.
A little 5-0 WBU run was then followed by an Oetting triple from the side of the arc, and after converting a pair at the line on the next possession, the Golden Eagles held a three-point lead late until Coleman's dagger at the end of regulation that forced overtime. In total, the teams wrestled to eight lead changes alone in the second half.
John Brown looks to continue its momentum as it finishes the regular season with a quick two-game road trip, beginning on Thursday night (Feb. 20) when the Golden Eagles look to dethrone Nelson (Texas) out of the first-place position inside the Sheaffer Center. The matchup will be carried live on the SAC Sports Network, with a scheduled start time of 7:45 p.m.
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