Oklahoma City turns tide against Golden Eagles

OKLAHOMA CITY — The John Brown women’s basketball team carried a lead into halftime, but the Golden Eagles were outscored 16-4 in the third quarter in what ended up a 66-51 loss at No. 5 Oklahoma City inside Abe Lemons Arena on Saturday afternoon.

In the pivotal third quarter, the Golden Eagles (13-8, 7-5 Sooner Athletic) shot just 2-of-10 from the field and committed seven of their 19 total turnovers. The Stars (18-3, 11-1), meanwhile, turned a one-point deficit into an 11-point lead, 48-37, an advantage JBU couldn’t overcome in the fourth.

City’s Brooke Irwin was nearly unstoppable in the first half, shooting 6 of 6 from the floor and converting two offensive rebounds into easy putbacks. Baily Cameron responded, however, hitting 4 of 5 in the second quarter as the visitors shot 50 percent from the field (7-of-14) and finished the half on an 11-6 run, helped by seven first-half points from senior Luize Skrastina.

The JBU offense couldn’t dig the visitors out of the 11-point hole in the final 10 minutes. OCU’s Makayla Kay hit a pair of dagger 3-pointers late in the contest to keep the Golden Eagles

winless in 10 outings against City.

Cameron finished with a game-high 25 points on 10 of 19 shooting, and grabbed six boards. Senior Kimmy Deines added a pair of triples to finish with eight points and Skrastina, who didn’t score in the second half, also finished with seven boards, helping John Brown to a 34-29 edge on the boards.

Irwin finished 6-of-8 from the field and scored 14 points to accompany five boards and two blocks. Daniela Galindo had an off day, hitting just 5-of-17, but still managed 12 points, as did Kay off the bench. NaShyla Hammonds 10 points and a game-high eight rebounds in the win.

The Golden Eagles return to action on Thursday at Bill George Arena when they welcome Southwestern Christian (Okla.) in 6 p.m. matchup, hoping for a season sweep of the Eagles.