Going through scoring droughts have been a problem this season for the John Brown women's basketball team.
The Golden Eagles' latest offensive dry spell came at the worst possible time on Thursday.
Southwestern Christian outscored JBU 17-6 in the final five minutes to pick up a 64-54 road win in the Golden Eagles' first game at Bill George Arena in more than a month.
JBU went 2 for 9 from the field, missed two free throws and turned the ball over three times in the final five minutes.
"When we have trouble scoring the ball, we really have trouble scoring the ball," said JBU head coach Jeff Soderquist. "We're not going to beat teams in this league scoring in the 50s. We're a good defensive team, but we're not that good."
JBU took a 48-47 lead with five minutes left on a 3-pointer from Eliana Fernandez, but that was the last lead for the Golden Eagles (7-11, 2-5 Sooner Athletic Conference).
Maranda Janz got the lead back for Southwestern Christian (7-12, 3-4) with a layup on the other end, and after a JBU turnover, Kim Hayes canned a 3-pointer for a 52-48 lead.
Another 3-pointer from Janz made it 55-48. Lauren Rogers hit a trey to bring JBU back within 55-51, but Hayes hit a jumper and Andi McGill and Grace Hadley combined to hit 3 of 4 free throws as Southwestern Christian pulled ahead 60-51.
Rogers hit another 3-pointer but it was too little, too late for the Golden Eagles.
JBU also didn't help itself by missing several good looks from underneath, outside and at the free-throw line, where they went 3 of 9 for the game.
"We just didn't capitalize enough on open shots," Soderquist said. "We had missed lay-ups, missed 3-pointers. ... That sort of sums it up for this team this season."
The two teams battled to a 28-28 tie at halftime, but Southwestern Christian came out strong and led for the first nine minutes of the second half.
A 3-pointer from Hernandez with 10:37 left in the game gave JBU its first lead of the second half at 41-39, and a Brooke Barker basket in transition made it 43-39.
After a Southwestern Christian turnover, the Golden Eagles had a chance to increase the lead to six, but Tristan Carrasquillo missed a 3-pointer, and Fernandez, who hauled in the offensive rebound, missed a short shot.
Hayes converted a three-point play on the other end to pull Southwestern Christian within one.
Sofia Mendoza scored inside to up JBU's lead back to 45-42, but Southwestern Christian went on a 5-0 run to lead 47-45 before Fernandez hit her trey to put JBU back on top with five minutes left.
Barker and Fernandez each had 12 points to lead JBU, while Rogers had 11 and Morgan Ankrom nine.
Hayes led four Southwestern Christian players in double figures with 16 points. Grace Hadley had 15, while Janz had 12, Taylor Estep 10 and McGill nine.
"We've asked some people to step up, and we have done that," said Southwestern Christian coach Darrick Matthews. "Last game we had five people in double figures, and this game we had four people in double figures and that's what it takes for us to win. It was a great team effort by my ladies."
JBU returned to action on Saturday at Wayland Baptist. Results were not available at presstime.
The Golden Eagles return home on Thursday to face defending national champion Oklahoma City. It's JBU's first game against the Stars since last March 24 when Oklahoma City defeated JBU 67-65 in the NAIA National Tournament semifinals in Frankfort, Ky.
SW Christian 64, John Brown 54
Southwestern Christian 28 36 -- 64
John Brown 28 26 -- 54
Southwestern Christian (7-12, 3-4): Hayes 16, Hadley 15, Janz 12, Estep 10, McGill 9, Ross 2.
John Brown (7-11, 2-5): Barker 12, Fernandez 12, Rogers 11, Ankrom 9, Mendoza 6, Brown 4.
Sports on 01/25/2015