Fridged Third Quarter Proves Costly at #21 JBU

SILOAM SPRINGS, Ark. – Saturday afternoon, the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (11-6, 7-4 SAC) ended the first half of conference play with a 63-51 loss at No. 21 ranked John Brown University (14-3, 11-0 SAC). USAO was only outscored in one quarter of the loss, but that was plenty for JBU to capture victory. Prior to Saturday's game, the Drovers had won each of the last seven meetings in Siloam Springs, dating back to March of 2018.

With the loss, USAO moves into a tie for fourth-place with SAGU in the Sooner Athletic Conference standings, 4.0 games back of John Brown University at the top. 

The Drovers got odd to a bit of a slow start and trailed 6-3 early on, but used a 13-0 run to claim a 13-6 lead with 4:30 remaining in the first quarter. JBU began to knock down some shots and cut USAO's lead down to 20-14 at the conclusion of the first quarter. The Golden Eagles continued to chip away and the Drovers advantage was whittled down to 25-21 midway through the second quarter. USAO held strong and managed to increase their lead to 33-27 prior to the final buzzer of the opening half. 

JBU opened the second half on a 19-0 run and claimed a 46-33 lead with 1:33 remaining in the third quarter. The Golden Eagles increased their lead to 49-37 going into the fourth quarter, after outscoring the Drovers 22-4 in the third. Both teams scored 14 points in the final 10 minutes of action and USAO was unable to cut into their deficit prior to the final buzzer.

USAO's offense was ice cold in the second half and closed the game shooting 18-67 (.269) from the field, 7-29 (.241) from beyond the arc, and 8-10 (.800) from the free-throw line. In comparison, JBU shot 23-59 (.390) from the field, 5-24 (.208) from deep, and 12-18 (.667) from the charity stripe. 

The Golden Eagles outrebounded the Drovers by a wide margin of 50-40 and dominated the paint, outscoring USAO 40-22 down low.

USAO committed 10 turnovers, which led to 13 points for the Golden Eagles. Meanwhile, JBU fumbled the ball 12 times, resulting in 10 points for USAO. The Drovers were called for 15 fouls, while the Golden Eagles committed 10 infractions. 

USAO was led by a pair of double-double performances from Crystal Ortiz and Lainey Morrow. Ortiz recorded her second double-double of the season with 14 points and 10 rebounds, in addition to three assists and a pair of steals. Morrow tallied her ninth double-double with 11 points and 13 rebounds. Morrow has now scored 994 points in her career and inched closer to becoming the seventh member of the program's 1000-point club.

Diaka Berete concluded with 11 points, three rebounds, and a pair of assists. Brayanna Polk closed with five points and three rebounds, followed by Jordan Bloomfield with four points and two rebounds. Tonijah Fortune and Devynn Harris each scored three points.

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers will return to the hardwood on Thursday, January 25 as they play a double-header at SAGU in Waxahachie, Texas. The women's game is scheduled for 6:00 PM CT, followed by the men's game at 7:45 PM.

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