Bobcats women, men defeat Golden Eagles

SILOAM SPRINGS — College of the Ozarks flipped the script on the John Brown women’s basketball team Monday night.

The NAIA Division II sixthranked Bobcats rallied from a 17-point first-half deficit and remained unbeaten with an 86-82 victory over the Golden Eagles 86-82 inside Bill George Arena.

It was the second straight loss for NAIA Division I No. 12 JBU (4-3), and all three of the Golden Eagles’ losses have come against ranked opponents.

In Monday’s game, JBU shot 53.8 percent from the floor compared to just 40 percent by College of the Ozarks. But the Golden Eagles turned the ball over 16 times to just five for the Bobcats (10-0), who also grabbed 15 offensive rebounds.

“It comes down to offensive rebounds and turnovers,” said John Brown head coach Jeff Soderquist. “You know tonight 16 (turnovers) is not bad. I’d like it to be under 14. But when you have 16 compared to their five turnovers, that’s a big margin. Then 15 offensive rebounds, to our six — that’s where it is because you look at the shooting percentages, we shot it a lot better.”

John Brown was sailing in the second quarter as it opened up the quarter on a 14-0 run and built a 47-30 lead after a Rosa Orpo basket.

The Bobcats sliced the lead down to 47-38 at halftime, but JBU got it back up to 14 at the start of the third quarter after a 3-pointer from Jana Schammel.

Cassidy Johnson and Shelby Roberts hit back-to-back 3-pointers to get the Bobcats back within 54-46, and Roberts hit a three-point play and a layup to make it 58-54. College of the Ozarks eventually tied the game up at 62 on a pair of free throws from Madison Wells, and Madisen Brethower hit a 3-pointer to put the Bobcats ahead 65-62 going into the fourth quarter.

JBU retook the lead 72-69 on a 3-pointer from Luize Skrastina, and the two teams traded baskets until it was tied 7777 after a 3-pointer from JBU’s Kimmy Deines.

Abby Oliver gave College of the Ozarks the lead for good with a basket, and Roberts followed with a basket to make it 81-77.

Baily Cameron’s three-point play got JBU within 81-80, but Johnson hit a pair of free throws to get the lead back to 83-80. Cameron scored inside to make it 83-82, but Johnson answered again with a basket for an 85-82 lead with 57.1 seconds left.

JBU turned the ball over and had trouble fouling the Bobcats on the other end as time ticked away.

Johnson finished with 27 points to lead the Bobcats, while Roberts had 20 and Oliver 11.

Cameron finished with 29 points and 12 rebounds to lead JBU, while Schammel had 13 and Skrastina 11.

“We know that John Brown can really shoot it,” said College of the Ozarks coach Becky Vest. “They’re really potent offensively. We knew it was going to be a battle. But we knew it was going to be a chance to beat another good team on their home court. So we’ll take it. We’re really happy with this win.”

College of the Ozarks.........19 19 27 21 — 86 John Brown.....................22 25 15 20 — 82 College of the Ozarks (10-0): Johnson 27, Roberts 20, Oliver 11, Brethower 7, Cleeton 7, Wells 7, Simmerman 4, Smith 3.

John Brown (4-3): Cameron 29, Schammel 13, Skrastina 11, Reece 7, Chandra 7, Williams 4, Martin 4, Deines 3, Fergen 2, Orpo 2.

MEN COLLEGE OF THE OZARKS 88, JOHN BROWN 84

John Brown let an eight-point lead slip away in the final three minutes as College of the Ozarks rallied for the victory.

DeMon Hyler scored seven points in the final 23.1 seconds and had a huge steal on an inbounds pass late to seal the victory for the Bobcats (8-1).

Hyler gave College of the Ozarks twice with baskets in the final seconds, including a three-point play with 8.3 seconds left that gave the Bobcats an 86-84 lead.

After a timeout, Hyler then stole the ensuing inbound play and was fouled and hit two free throws to set the final score. He finished with 19 points leading six players in double figures. Canyon Smith added 15 points, while Heath Carmichael had 13, Ethan Davidson 11, and Brand Cochran and Calvin Allen each with 10.

Jake Caudle had his second consecutive 30-point outing for JBU, scoring 34 and hitting 12 of 15 shots from the floor, including 8 of 10 from behind the three-point line. Marquis Waller added 12 points.

College of the Ozarks............. 34 54 — 88 John Brown......................... 42 42 — 84 College of the Ozarks (8-1): Hyler 19, Smith 15, Carmichael 13, Davidson 11, Cochran 10, Allen 10, Rackley 8, Burland 2.

John Brown (4-3): Caudle 34, Waller 12, Corder 9, Toussaint 6, Bowling 6, Rucker 5, Carnes 4, Jones 3, Smith 3, Grabliauskas 2.