Second Half Surge Falls Short, MACU Scores 61-54 Win over Golden Eagles
SILOAM SPRINGS, Ark. (January 19, 2013) - John Brown shot 43.3 percent from the field and connected on 5-of-11 three-point plays in the second half, but a 36-14 halftime deficit proved too much to overcome as the Golden Eagles fell to Mid-America Christian (Okla.) on Saturday night at Bill George Arena.
Three Golden Eagles figured in double-digit scoring tonight as junior guard Sierra Shipley finished with a game-high 14 points, nailing two triples and converting all four of her free throw opportunities. Sophomore guard Lauren Rogers and junior forward Kortni Barenberg each added 11 points. Rogers drained a team-high three shots from behind the arc and paced the Golden Eagles in its rebounding effort, grabbing eight boards in the losing effort.
JBU shot poorly in the first half, converting at just a 15.4 percent clip (4-of-26)and finished the first 20 minutes with only a single basket inside the three-point line. Conversely, the Evangels shot 48.3 percent in the first stanza, draining five three-pointers.
Down only a single point (7-6), MACU went on a 9-0 tear that put the Golden Eagles behind 10 points at the 13:33 mark. Not done with its offensive output, Mid-America Christian rattled off 16 of the next 19 points, grabbing a game-high 24-point advantage with just under five minutes remaining in the first half. After that, both teams battled point-for-point before a Barenberg triple cut the deficit to 22 just before the frame expired.
The second half featured a reversal of fortunes as the full-court JBU trap forced 12 Evangel turnovers over the second half and spurred multiple fast-break opportunities for the home team. Still down by 20 points (54-34) with just under seven minutes to play, John Brown made its run, spurred by an Abbie Warren basket down low, notching the next 10 points, powered by a triple and a pair of free throws by Shipley. The run continued as the Golden Eagles' relentless pressure resulted in another four points, whittling the Evangel lead all the way down to six, capping an impressive 16-0 run.
MACU would outscore the Golden Eagles 7-6 over the final 2:37, halting John Brown's comeback bid, resulting in the 61-54 decision.
With the loss, JBU finds itself in the midst of a three-game losing skid, sporting a 7-11 overall record with a 2-4 mark in conference play. Mid-America Christian improves to 11-5 and 2-3 in SAC action.
The ladies will return to action on Thursday, Jan. 24, when John Brown will make its final trip to Lubbock, Texas, taking on the Lady Chaps of Lubbock Christian. Game time is slated for 6:00 p.m.
