SILOAM SPRINGS, Ark. -- Behind late free-throw shooting and defensive pressure, the John Brown University men's basketball team rode five players in double-figure scoring and delivered its first signature win of the season in a 76-72 upset victory over No. 7 Langston (Okla.) on Saturday afternoon (Jan. 17) inside Bill George Arena.
The Golden Eagles turned the game after halftime with efficient efforts on both ends of the floor, finishing the second half at 71 percent from the floor (12-of-17) while limiting Langston's opportunities to convert late. The Blue and Gold also capitalized at the free-throw line down the stretch, hitting 18-of-20 from the charity stripe in the second half (90 percent).
John Brown (9-8, 6-5 Sooner Athletic) was led by a balanced attack. Junior Trae Oetting and senior Donovan Lovelace each scored 17 points, with Oetting adding eight free throws and Lovelace grabbing a game-high eight rebounds and adding four assists. Senior Josh Stewart finished with 12 points, while sophomore Carter Carbonell and junior Marko Malekinusic provided a combined 24 points off the bench - Carbonell hitting three triples for 13 points and Malekinusic adding 11.
Langston (14-4, 8-3 SAC) opened the game with interior pressure, scoring consistently in the paint to take a 37-31 lead into halftime. The Lions shot 43 percent from the field (13-of-30) in the opening half and generated 32 of its 56 points in the paint, while the hosts battled through a 38 percent shooting half (9-of-24) and seven turnovers.
The second half unfolded differently, however. John Brown tightened defensively and scored 45 points after the break. The Golden Eagles shot 71 percent from the floor in the second half (12-of-17) and repeatedly earned its way to the free-throw line, where the Blue and Gold converted. Langston, meanwhile, went 9-of-18 from the field and 8-of-12 at the line after halftime.
With the contest deadlocked at 64 after the hosts erased a seven-point second-half deficit, Langston broke the tie with a triple, but Oetting answered inside to keep John Brown within one. Although Langston regained a 69-66 advantage with just over three minutes remaining, it was the visitors' final field goal of the night.
The turning point came at the free-throw line. Trailing 70-68, Malekinusic calmly converted all three attempts after being fouled on a three-point shot, as John Brown moved in front 71-70 with 90 seconds left.
The Lions briefly pulled even at 72 apiece with 46 seconds left, but Oetting delivered the decisive blow, scoring in the paint on a running layup at the right block with 32 seconds remaining to put John Brown back on top for good, 74-72.
Langston had a chance to respond at the line but came up empty, and Carbonell sealed the upset by knocking down both free throws in the final seconds, capping off a 10-3 Golden Eagle run to end the afternoon.
JBU finished the game shooting 51 percent from the field (21-of-41) and 53 percent from three-point range (10-of-19), while going 24-of-32 at the free-throw line (75 percent). Langston shot 47 percent overall (20-of-43) and 29 percent from three-point range (5-of-17), converting 15-of-19 free throws (79 percent).
The Golden Eagles held a 10-rebound advantage (31-21) and set a new season best in fewest rebounds allowed in the process. JBU also committed 13 turnovers, but the visitors were held to 15 points off those turnovers, allowing the hosts to maintain control late.
Langston was led by Orlando Thomas with 13 points, while Omar Henry added 12 and Antonio Lewis chipped in 10. Cam McCoy contributed nine points on a perfect 4-of-4 shooting effort off the bench.
Now back in the win column, the Blue and Gold regroup for a three-game week, beginning in Pt. Lookout, Mo. when John Brown takes on College of the Ozarks inside Keeter Gymnasium Monday night (Jan. 19). The teams will tip at 8 p.m. live on the SAC Sports Network and the Urban Edge Network.
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