OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. -- The John Brown University men's basketball team built a seven-point first-half lead, but No. 9 Langston (Okla.) closed the opening period on a decisive run and controlled the second half to defeat the Golden Eagles, 66-49, in the Sooner Athletic tournament quarterfinals Wednesday evening (Feb. 25) inside Abe Lemons Arena.
Junior Trae Oetting led John Brown (12-17) with 16 points, knocking down 4-of-8 from three-point range and converting 4-of-4 at the free-throw line across 37 minutes. Junior Marko Malekinusic added eight points and five rebounds, while junior Donovan Lovelace contributed six points off the bench as the Golden Eagles were limited to one player in double-figure scoring.
The Blue and Gold controlled much of the first half and pushed its lead to 22-15 with 4:55 remaining before the break. During that stretch, the designated visiting team held Langston to difficult perimeter looks and forced contested attempts, as the Lions opened the game 8-of-33 from the field in the first half (24 percent).
Langston answered, however, by closing the half on a 12-3 run to take a 27-25 advantage into the locker room.
The second half was decided largely at the stripe. Langston converted 17-of-19 free throws after the break and extended the margin steadily as JBU struggled to generate clean offensive possessions. The Lions built the lead to as many as 19 late in the contest while limiting the Golden Eagles to 24 second-half points.
John Brown finished the night shooting 33 percent from the field (17-of-52) and 24 percent from three-point range (6-of-25), while converting 82 percent at the free-throw line (9-of-11). Langston shot 29 percent overall (17-of-59) and 26 percent from beyond the arc (7-of-27), but converted 93 percent at the stripe (25-of-27).
Turnovers also proved decisive. JBU committed 16 giveaways that Langston turned into 23 points, while the Lions committed six turnovers that resulted in just two John Brown points. Langston also held a 44-36 advantage on the glass and outscored the Golden Eagles 14-6 on second-chance opportunities.
Omar Henry led LU with 19 points on 6-of-12 shooting and 6-of-6 at the free-throw line. Antonio Lewis added 16 points, connecting on four three-pointers, while Orlando Thomas scored 13 points and went 10-of-10 at the stripe. Robert Alexander contributed 11 points as the Lions placed four players in double figures.
The Golden Eagles' season comes to a close in the SAC tournament quarterfinal round for the fourth time in the last five seasons.
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