FT. WORTH, Texas -- Despite enjoying a game-high 21 points from junior Trae Oetting, the John Brown University men's basketball team couldn't overcome turnovers and fell 69-59 to Texas Wesleyan on Saturday afternoon (Jan. 10) inside the Sid Richardson Center.
Oetting led the Golden Eagles (8-7, 5-4 Sooner Athletic) with his sixth 20-point outing of the season, shooting 8-of-10 from the field and 3-of-4 from three-point range while accounting for over one-third of the visitors' scoring. Senior Donovan Lovelace followed with 13 points, connecting on 4-of-6 from beyond the arc. Junior Marko Malekinusic finished with eight points, five rebounds and four assists, while senior Connor Kern added eight rebounds and four blocks off the bench.
The opening half featured six lead changes and one tie, as both sides kept the margin within a few possessions the majority of the half. John Brown shot efficiently in the opening 20 minutes, converting 56 percent from the field (10-of-18) and 50 percent from three-point range (4-of-8). The Rams carried a 39-33 lead into the break despite shooting 34 percent from the field (14-of-41) in the first half, using offensive rebounds and 15 points off 14 JBU turnovers to offset the shooting gap.
After the break, John Brown's efficiency declined as the Rams began to separate. The Golden Eagles shot 10-of-30 from the field (33 percent) in the second half and attempted just two free throws after intermission.
After the Blue and Gold cut the deficit to two at the 12:36 mark of the second half after Oetting netted five consecutive points,46-44, Texas Wesleyan responded with an 11-2 run over the next 3:24. The Rams scored on five consecutive possessions, opening the stretch with a Khalil Turner layup before Daylan Hamilton finished a fast-break opportunity. Texas Wesleyan extended the run with a Daniel Oravbiere layup off an offensive-rebound sequence, then Montez Young Jr. knocked down a three-pointer before Hamilton capped the surge at the free-throw line to push the margin to double figures.
John Brown went 1-of-5 from the field during the stretch, with a Connor Kern dunk accounting for its only points, while two turnovers further limited scoring opportunities as Texas Wesleyan controlled the glass, recorded two blocks, and went errorless during the run.
The Golden Eagles generated stops later in the half, but was unable to reduce the margin below nine points.
Texas Wesleyan (10-4, 6-3) featured four players in double-figure scoring, led by Daylan Hamilton with 19 points, shooting 7-of-10 at the free-throw line. Khalil Turner added 13 points and six rebounds, while Montez Young Jr. scored 12 points and DaeVeon Scott finished with 11.
The hosts finished the game shooting 35 percent from the field (24-of-69) and 30 percent from three-point range (7-of-23), converting 14-of-24 at the free-throw line. JBU shot 42 percent overall (20-of-48) and 43 percent from beyond the arc (9-of-21). Texas Wesleyan held a 41-35 rebounding advantage, including a 17-6 edge on the offensive glass, and scored 21 points off turnovers compared to four for the Golden Eagles.
The Blue and Gold finish its road trip on Thursday night (Jan. 15) in McPherson, Kan. when Central Christian plays host to JBU live on the SAC Sports Network and the Urban Edge Network. Game time is slated for 8 p.m.
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