Game-opening tear sends Golden Eagles to easy win over Ozark Christian
SILOAM SPRINGS, Ark. -- Shooting over 75 percent midway through the first half, the John Brown University men's basketball team poured in 60 first-half points and rode six double-digit scorers to an easy 111-59 win over Ozark Christian (Mo.) on Tuesday (Nov. 15) evening inside Bill George Arena.
The Golden Eagles (4-2), now winners of three straight, poured in 14 triples and shot 45.2 percent behind the arc in its nearly doubling-up the Ambassadors (0-1). Sophomore Jake Caudle and senior Matt Ledord each buried four treys and sophomore Brandon Joseph, who led John Brown with 15 points on 6-of-13 shooting, added three from downtown to finish with 15 points and five assists.
Caudle and Ledford contributed 12 and 14 points, respectively, while the Golden Eagles landed a big-time game from senior Miguel Martinez, who poured in a season-best 13 points and completed his first-career double-double by pulling down a game-high 13 boards in the win.
Sophomore Benjamin Smith and junior Sam Egedi provided the final two double-figuring scoring efforts as Smith added 11 points and seven boards while Egedi posted 10 points and six rebounds, helping the hosts to a season-high 60-22 rebounding margin. JBU also secured a season-best 23 offensive boards and 29 second-chance points.
A trio of players dished out five assists in Joseph, Ledford and sophomore Marquis Waller, propelling the hosts to 25 assists on 45 field goals (.556 percent).
The Golden Eagles shot efficiently throughout the contest, and hit 45-of-86 (52.3 percent), fueled by 59 points, or nearly half of its output, coming from inside the paint.
Dawson Allmoslecher hit 9-of-17 from the field, including three triples, to lead the Ambassadors in scoring with 22 points. The Golden Eagles limited themselves to just 10 turnovers and held the visitors to a 36.3 percent shooting clip (24-of-66) in the lopsided affair.
John Brown will return to action on Thursday (Nov. 16) when it hosts College of the Ozarks (Mo.) in a revenge match at 7 p.m. Last season, the Bobcats handed the Golden Eagles a difficult 88-87 overtime setback in Pt. Lookout.
