Team effort fuels JBU victory

SILOAM SPRINGS -- The John Brown men's basketball team responded in crunch time Saturday, and the Golden Eagles got it from all over the court.

All 11 JBU players who entered the game cracked the scoring column, and five provided much-needed points down the stretch as the Golden Eagles pulled away from St. Gregory's 77-64 in a Sooner Athletic Conference game at Bill George Arena.

Women

John Brown 98, St. Gregory’s 43

St. Gregory’s^6^10^13^14^—^43

John Brown^28^21^30^19^—^98

St. Gregory’s (2-13, 0-8): Tatum 21, Godbold 4, Fernander 4, Butler 3, Garrett 2, Howgard 2, Porter 2, English 2, Woodard 2, Harvey 1.

John Brown (13-6, 5-3): Skrastina 16, Cameron 13, Deines 13, Reece 11, Schammel 10, Powell 9, Martin 8, Opro 8, Williams 5, Pelegreen 3, Roh 2.

Men

John Brown 77, St. Gregory’s 64

St. Gregory’s^26^38^—^64

John Brown^37^40^—^77

St. Gregory’s (7-8, 3-5): Maras 13, Bickers 12, Rutherford 11, Bianchi 11, Gonzalez 10, Barnett 6, Perak 1.

John Brown (11-8, 3-5): Joseph 23, English 17, Waller 8, Caudle 7, Martinez 6, Ledford 5, Bowling 3, Egedi 2, Roberts 2, Smith 2, Toussaint 2.

"Different guys would answer with a big play for us when we needed it," said JBU head coach Jason Beschta.

JBU led by 19 points in the second half, but St. Gregory's closed within 51-44 heading in to the final stretch.

Brandon Joseph connected on a 3-pointer from the left wing to get the lead back up to double-digits, and Josh Bowling splashed in a trey from the corner on JBU's next possession for a 57-46 lead.

Miguel Martinez converted a three-point play with 7:34 left, and Ricky Roberts followed with a jump shot as JBU held a 12-point lead.

Zach English hit two free throws and a 3-pointer for a 67-54 lead.

The Golden Eagles (11-8, 3-5) pulled ahead by 17, but SGU's James Bickers connected on a pair of late 3-pointers.

The game was JBU's first home game since Jan. 5 after playing their last four on the road and going 1-3 in that stretch.

"It was great to be back home and finally have some people cheering for us," said Joseph, who finished with a game-high 23 points and five assist to just two turnovers.

English added 17 for the Golden Eagles and Samuel Egedi had 10 rebounds. JBU trailed twice after the first three possessions of the game but led the rest of the way.

JBU hit 25 of 57 shots from the field and 12 of 28 from behind the 3-point line.

Michael Maras led five Cavaliers (7-8, 3-5) players in double figures with 13 points. Bickers finished with 12, while Jordan Rutherford and Pablo Bianchi each had 11, and Kilder Gonzalez 10.

"We came out flat. I told the guys all year that if we play hard we've got a chance," said St. Gregory's coach Dylan Lemley. "We played hard at times. Most of the time though, for the mostpart, we couldn't put it together every possession. Hat's off to John Brown. They're well-coached. They played extremely well. They're very disciplined. They're a great ballclub. They earned it for sure."

Women

John Brown 98, St. Gregory's 43

The Golden Eagles scored the first 16 points of the game and never looked back on their way to a third-straight win.

JBU led 28-6 after the first quarter and 49-16 at halftime. The Golden Eagles (13-6, 5-3) scored 30 more points in the third quarter to take a 79-29 lead going into the fourth quarter.

Luize Skrastina led a balanced scoring column for JBU with 16 points, including 4 of 4 from behind the 3-point line in the first half. Baily Cameron and Kimmy Deines each scored 13 points for the Golden Eagles, while Preslea Reece had 11, Jana Schammel 10, Kodee Powell nine and Jordan Martin, and Rosa Orpo each with eight.

Kylee Tatum led St. Gregory's (2-13, 0-8) with 21 points.

Both JBU teams return to action at home on Thursday against Bacone (Okla.). The women's game is at 6 p.m. followed by the men's game at 8.

Sports on 01/22/2017

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