Stars stymie Golden Eagles

n The JBU women shot 4 of 22 from behind the 3-point line.

Photo courtesy of JBU Sports Information John Brown freshman Baily Cameron, middle, shoots over a pair of Oklahoma City defenders during Saturday’s game at Bill George Arena. The Stars defeated the Golden Eagles 56-42.
Photo courtesy of JBU Sports Information John Brown freshman Baily Cameron, middle, shoots over a pair of Oklahoma City defenders during Saturday’s game at Bill George Arena. The Stars defeated the Golden Eagles 56-42.

The John Brown women's basketball team couldn't get many shots to fall on its home court Saturday against Oklahoma City.

The Golden Eagles struggled inside the 3-point line and were even worse from behind the arc in a 56-42 loss to the Stars at Bill George Arena.

Sooner Athletic Conference Basketball Standings

WOMEN^CONFERENCE^OVERALL

^W-L^W-L

Wayland Baptist^9-1^14-4

Oklahoma City^9-1^12-5

SAGU^6-4^13-8

SW Christian^6-4^9-11

John Brown^5-5^12-10

MACU^5-5^8-10

Texas Wesleyan^3-7^8-12

Bacone^3-7^7-12

St. Gregory’s^3-7^6-13

Science and Arts^1-9^2-13

Last week

January 26

Mid-America Christian 79, Science and Arts of Oklahoma 70

January 28

John Brown 76, St. Gregory’s 41

Wayland Baptist 82, Oklahoma City 67

Mid-America Christian 86, Bacone 77

Southwestern Christian 59, Science and Arts of Oklahoma 50

Southwestern Assemblies of God 63, Texas Wesleyan 49

January 30

Oklahoma City 56, John Brown 42

Wayland Baptist 62, Southwestern Christian 54

Texas Wesleyan 78, Mid-America Christian 66

Bacone 83, St. Gregory’s 73

Southwestern Assemblies of God 58, Science and Arts of Oklahoma 53

This week

Thursday’s games

Southwestern Christian at John Brown

Mid-America Christian at Oklahoma City

Bacone at Wayland Baptist

Southwestern Assemblies of God at St. Gregory’s

Texas Wesleyan at Science and Arts of Oklahoma

Saturday’s games

John Brown at Wayland Baptist

Oklahoma City at Southwestern Assemblies of God

Southwestern Christian at Texas Wesleyan

St. Gregory’s at Mid-America Christian

Science and Arts of Oklahoma at Bacone

JBU hit only 17 of 53 (32.1 percent) of its shots from the field and a meager 4 of 22 (18.2 percent) from behind the 3-point line.

The Golden Eagles only hit one 3-pointer in 13 attempts in the second half despite getting some quality shots from deep, according to coach Jeff Soderquist.

"I thought we got some good looks from three," Soderquist said. "They've just got to fall. If they fall, it's a different story."

Soderquist gave credit to Oklahoma City for slowing the game down with its style of play offensively and its zone defense.

"I think Oklahoma City makes you play that way," Soderquist said. "They're very deliberate. They're very slow. They kind of make you stand around and they're very good with their zone."

JBU (12-10, 5-5) trailed most of the first half, but pulled within 21-19 late in the second quarter on a 3-pointer from Kodee Powell. The Stars answered with a 3-pointer from Allison Frey and a steal and score from Leah Cheney to take a 26-19 lead at halftime.

"I just thought we didn't play with a sense of urgency," Soderquist said of the first half.

Oklahoma City (12-5, 9-1), which is ranked No. 14 in the NAIA Coaches Poll, pulled ahead by double digits in the third quarter, but JBU cut the deficit to 38-34 on a shot by Baily Cameron.

The Stars responded with two baskets from Catherine Kruschke, including a three-point play, to get the lead back up to 43-34.

Daniela Wallen, who had 14 of her game-high 19 points in the first half, scored on a drive and Frey hit a 3-pointer to get the lead back to double digits.

Frey hit another 3-pointer, and Wallen had a steal and score as the Stars maintained their lead at the end.

Frey finished with 18 points on six 3-pointers. She went hit 2 of 6 in the first half but 4 of 6 in the second half. Kruschke added 15 points for the Stars.

"We told (Frey) at halftime that she needed to be ready to step up and hit some shots," said Oklahoma City coach Bo Overton. "I thought she played great."

Wallen also had 10 rebounds for Oklahoma City for a double-double.

The Stars were coming off their first loss of the season, dropping an 82-67 loss at home against Wayland Baptist on Thursday.

With the win, the Stars completed the season sweep of JBU, having beaten the Golden Eagles 84-50 on Jan. 9.

Cameron scored 10 points to lead JBU, while Kodee Powell had nine and Brooke Barker eight.

Oklahoma City outrebounded JBU 37-26. The Stars hit 23 of 50 (46 percent) from the field and 6 of 15 from behind the 3-point line.

JBU returns to action on Thursday at home against Southwestern Christian before traveling to Wayland Baptist (Texas) on Saturday.

Oklahoma City 56, John Brown 42

Oklahoma City^15^11^12^18^--^56

John Brown^9^10^8^15^--^42

Oklahoma City (12-5, 9-1): Wallen 19, Frey 18, Kruschke 15, Cheney 2, Ingram 2.

John Brown (12-10, 5-5): Cameron 10, Powell 9, Barker 8, Knox 7, Mendoza 6, Deines 2.

Sports on 02/03/2016