Basketball Teams Split at John Brown

SILOAM SPRINGS, Ark. – Down by as many as 15 points in the first half, the USAO women’s basketball team pulled off a much-needed 68-67 win Saturday night against John Brown University. The USAO men, however, couldn’t find an offensive rhythm in a 99-77 loss to the Golden Eagles.  

With their one-point victory, the Drover women ended a three-game losing streak and improved to 7-11 overall and 2-5 in the Sooner Athletic Conference. Meanwhile, the Drover men fall to 5-11 overall and 2-5 in the SAC. This week, USAO travels to Shawnee for a 6 p.m. doubleheader Thursday at Oklahoma Baptist, and is back home Saturday for a 6 p.m. twin bill against St. Gregory’s.

In the women’s game Saturday, John Brown hit over 45 percent from the field in the first half to lead by as many as 15 points. A late USAO rally in the closing minutes of the half cut the Golden Eagles’ lead to 34-27 at halftime.

USAO junior Christina Brown made a three to start the second half, and the Drovers climbed into the lead at the 15-minute mark. The Drovers held a slim lead, of no more than five points, for most of the second half, but the Golden Eagles came back to led by three points in the home stretch.

With 29 seconds left in regulation, senior Christal Merriweather, who had struggled in recent weeks, hit two free throws to clinch the 68-67 win for the Drovers. For the game, Merriweather was a perfect 6-of-6 from the charity stripe.

Three Drovers finished in double figures, led by Merriweather and senior Karole Roberts with 18 points each. Merriweather also grabbed seven rebounds and dished out four assists, while Roberts, who was playing with a broken nose, notched six boards. In addition, Roberts was 7-of-11 from the field and a perfect 4-of-4 from the free throw line.

Junior Katie Sterling, who did not play Thursday with a knee injury, added 12 points, four rebounds, four assists and three steals. Junior Christina Brown and senior Kayla Lawrence finished with nine points each, and Lawrence grabbed seven rebounds. Hampered by foul trouble, junior Nicole Sherman scored two points and a rebound.

For the game, USAO hit 43 percent (25-of-58) from the field, 29 percent (5-of-17) from 3-point range and 68 percent (13-of-19) from the free throw line.  The Drovers collected 35 rebounds, 10 assists, six steals, and committed 13 turnovers.

John Brown’s Kendra McCormick was one of two Golden Eagles in double figures with 18 points on 6-of-8 shooting. Caitlin Chandler added 10 points as JBU falls to 10-7 overall and 2-6 in the SAC.

In the men’s game Saturday, John Brown put on a shooting clinic as the Golden Eagles shot 53 percent from the field and made 14 3-pointers on the night. USAO continued to struggle from the field, connecting on 36 percent from the field and just 9-of-30 from 3-point range.

The teams traded the lead for the first 10 minutes of the first half. JBU went up by as many as 11 points, but USAO cut the lead to seven points to end the half at 44-37. Seven would prove to be the closest the Drovers would get, as the Golden Eagles pulled away, shooting close to 60 percent from the field and 44 percent from behind the arc.

Despite the shooting woes, USAO had four players in double figures, led by senior Wayne Gibson and sophomore Avery Stevenson with 17 points each. Gibson added a team-high eight rebounds and three assists. Others in double figures included senior Keith Miller with 12 points and junior Romeil Perkins with 10.

Senior Tony Jimmerson was slowed by foul trouble and finished with eight points and one rebound. Freshman Kevin Thames came off the bench to score six points and grab a game-high five steals. Freshman Tyree Hankerson added five points and five rebounds, and senior Martin Washington scored two points to round out the Drovers’ scoring.  

For the game, USAO hit 36 percent (26-of-73) from the field, 30 percent (9-of-30) from the field, and 62 percent (16-of-26) from the free throw line. The Drovers collected 28 rebounds, 10 assists, 11 steals, and committed nine turnovers.

John Brown had five players in double figures, led by Adam Workman with 21 points and nine rebounds. Reyjavick De Gracia finished with a double-double on 19 points and 10 rebounds. Brandon Cole had 13 points, while Steve Briggs and Pat Smits added 11 points each for the Golden Eagles as they improve to 13-5 overall and 3-5 in the SAC.