Scoring surge continues as women’s basketball tackles Ecclesia
SILOAM SPRINGS, Ark. -- Visiting Ecclesia committed 23 turnovers and the No. 20 John Brown University women's basketball team made the Royals pay to the tune of 33 points off miscues as the Golden Eagles moved to 7-0 on the season when shooting over 45 percent with a 96-42 trouncing of Ecclesia on Thursday (Dec. 8) evening inside Bill George Arena.
The Golden Eagles (9-4) have now won three straight and improve to 5-3 in Siloam Springs. Over the last three games, JBU is averaging 105.7 points per game and a margin of victory of 56.3 points per game since a 75-62 setback to then-No. 19 Oklahoma City on Dec. 1.
"I'm proud of the way the girls handled the game tonight," admitted head coach Jeff Soderquist, "especially after the way we beat them the first time. It's the week before finals, and there are a lot of distractions right now.
"Everyone contributing has been an offensive goal for us this season. Obviously, that is a little easier when everyone can hit shots."
John Brown ran out to a 14-0 lead just 2:46 into the contest and never looked back.
The Golden Eagle defense limited the visiting Royals (4-4) to a 32 percent (16-of-50) shooting effort on the night and to single-digit scoring in the second and third quarters.
Paced by 14 points from junior Jana Schammel, John Brown shot 47.9 percent (35-of-73) and saw 13 points and five rebounds from sophomore Baily Cameron and 12 points and six assists from senior Kodee Powell in limited minutes.
Junior Rosa Orpo also contributed 11 points and four offensive rebounds off the bench while junior Courtney Fine and freshman Ally Teague chipped in with eight apiece in the win.
Mikayla Roberts scored 16 points and Mrya Eatmon added 14 in the loss for Ecclesia.
The hosts doubled up the Royals on the boards, 48-24, and pulled down 21 boards, its highest recycling effort of the season, and converted the second chances into 22 points.
With the close of the 2016 fall semester, the Golden Eagles will take a 28-day hiatus until returning to Sooner Athletic action on Thursday (Jan. 5) with a 6 p.m. matchup with Southwestern Christian (Okla.) inside Bill George Arena.
