Cameron’s double-double sparks JBU women to win
MUSKOGEE, Okla. — Posting her fifth double-double of the season, sophomore Baily Cameron scored 18 of her game-high 30 points in the first and fourth quarters, and the John Brown University women’s basketball team overcame 26 turnovers to take a 70-57 win at Bacone (Okla.) on Thursday evening inside Palmer Gymnasium.
Cameron, who averages 16.7 points per game in league play, hit a triple just right of the top of the key with five seconds left to ice the contest in the exact same spot that senior Kodee Powell hit her fourth triple of the contest just 35 seconds earlier as the Golden Eagles (19-7, 11-4 Sooner Athletic) pushed a seven-point contest, 64-57, out
of reach from the Warrior upset bid.
On a night where the 3-point shooting fell short of its usual stellar mark (8 of 25), the Golden Eagles responded with 16 assists on 25 field goals and shot 58.6 percent inside the arc and rode double-digit performances from Cameron, Powell and freshman Jordan Martin to win their second straight.
Heading into Saturday’s home game against Science and Arts (Okla.), John Brown needed just one more victory to clinch the third seed, and quarterfinal home-court advantage, in the upcoming SAC tournament.
Cameron’s efficient night from the floor (10-of-14) included a 3 of 5 mark from behind the arc, 13 rebounds and two assists. Powell added a 5 of 8 night, four of which came from long range, to finish with 14 points and a pair of assists, while Martin shot 5-of-9, while posting seven boards and two helpers.
Junior Kimmy Deines boasted a game-high five assists and sophomore Preslea Reece added nine points and six rebounds, helping the visitors earn a tremendous advantage on the glass, 46-25.
The Warriors (9-16, 5-10) have now lost three of its last four, but used a season-worst 26 Golden Eagles turnovers to score 25 points on ensuing possessions to keep the contest close. Bacone shot just 30.5 percent from the floor (18-of-59) and hit just five of its 21 triple attempts (23.8 percent).
Ashley Barry-Wallace netted 11 points and posted eight rebounds while Terri Baker and Bailey Scarberry scored 11 and 10 points, respectively, in the setback for the hosts.
In a first quarter that featured a near-60 percent shooting mark, Cameron dropped 10 of JBU’s 19 points, as the visitors ended the half on a 13-2 run, fueled by late triples from Powell and Cameron. Cameron converted an old-fashioned three-point play to close the run late in the period.
Reece’s triple with 3:44 left in the contest pushed John Brown’s lead to 12 late, 61-49, but a quick 5-0 run pulled the Warriors within seven with 2:12 left in the game. The gap remained in single digits until the game-ending back-to-back triples from Powell and Cameron in the final minute of play.
The Golden Eagles returned home Saturday to face Science and Arts (Okla.) and to honor its lone senior Kodee Powell. Results were not available at presstime.
JBU will play its final home game on Thursday at 6 p.m. against Texas Wesleyan.