PT. LOOKOUT, Mo. -- Despite a first quarter advantage, the second period turned lopsided as the John Brown University women's basketball team dropped a 71-57 decision at College of the Ozarks on Monday night (Jan. 19) inside Keeter Gymnasium.
Sophomore Sarah Snodgrass led the Golden Eagles with 20 points and 17 rebounds, shooting 7-of-8 at the free-throw line while finishing her 12th double-double of the season. Sophomoer Caelyn Ferguson followed with 14 points on 6-of-11 shooting, adding two steals, while junior Hannah McLain provided 11 points off the bench, connecting on 3-of-5 attempts from three-point range.
John Brown (5-12, 4-7 Sooner Athletic) opened the game with a 16-13 first-quarter lead, shooting 46 percent from the field (6-of-13) and overcoming seven turnovers in the opening period. That margin shifted in the second quarter, where the Golden Eagles were held to eight points on 3-of-15 shooting, allowing the hosts to build a 34-24 halftime advantage. The Bobcats outscored JBU 21-8 in the period, converting turnovers into scoring opportunities and hitting 8-of-15 from the floor (53 percent).
The second quarter accounted for nearly the entire margin in the final score. Combining the three other quarters, John Brown was within one point (50-49). The 13-point differential in the second quarter created the separation that carried through the remainder of the game.
JBU matched College of the Ozarks for stretches in the third quarter behind scoring from Snodgrass and Ferguson, but the Bobcats stretched its advantage to a game-high 18 points before the visitors made its final run in the fourth.
Despite trailing by double digits late in the third quarter, John Brown continued to chip away in the fourth. The Golden Eagles used triples from McLain and junior Abbey Sanders to pull within six points with under seven minutes remaining, forcing the Bobcats into four turnovers early in the frame. That window narrowed quickly, however, as JBU could only manage four points over the final 6:28 of the night, while College of the Ozarks responded by shooting 4-of-7 down the stretch – including two triples – to secure the result.
College of the Ozarks (12-6, 9-3) was led by Ashlen Garrett, who finished with 24 points on 10-of-18 shooting, including 3-of-5 from three-point range. Keara Mattingley added 17 points and eight rebounds, converting all seven attempts at the free throw line. Abigail McBride and Zoe Hinze chipped in 10 points apiece to give the Bobcats four double-figure scorers.
COFO finished the game shooting 41 percent from the field (26-of-64) and 28 percent from three-point range (5-of-18), while converting 82 percent at the free-throw line (14-of-17). John Brown shot 36 percent overall (20-of-55) but just 24 percent from beyond the arc (6-of-25), converting 11-of-12 attempts at the stripe.
John Brown continues its three-game week on Thursday night (Jan. 22) when the Golden Eagles welcome Texas Wesleyan to Bill George Arena for a 6 p.m. tip. The clash will be aired live on the SAC Sports Network and the Urban Edge Network.
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