SILOAM SPRINGS -- Baily Cameron was already having a solid season for John Brown and she stepped her game up another level Thursday against Southwestern Christian (Okla.).
The freshman from Siloam Springs and former NWA Media Girls Player of the Year tied a career-high with 24 points and pulled down 12 rebounds as John Brown surged past Southwestern Christian 66-58 at Bill George Arena.
Cameron hit 10 of 17 shots from the field, including 3 of 5 from behind the 3-point line, and she scored 20 of her points in the second half.
"That's why we recruited her," said JBU head coach Jeff Soderquist. "We want her to be able to score inside and then pop out and hit the three."
Cameron scored 11 points in the third quarter and JBU (13-10, 6-5 Sooner Athletic Conference) built up a 45-35 lead midway through only to watch Southwestern Christian storm back with a 14-3 run to take a 49-48 lead going into the fourth quarter.
Trailing 53-50 in the fourth, Cameron scored inside to bring JBU within one, and one possession later, Cameron stepped out at the top of the key and hit a 3-pointer with 4 minutes, 10 seconds left to give JBU a 55-53 lead it wouldn't relinquish.
Kimmy Deines had a steal and score for a 57-53 lead, and Cameron split a pair of free throws with 2:08 left for a 58-53 advantage. Cameron then hit another 3-pointer at the top of the key for a 61-53 lead.
"(Cameron) really played well," Southwestern Christian coach Mark Arthur said. "With her size (5-foot-10) and she can step out and hit the three, she's a tough matchup."
Cameron came into the game averaging 12.1 points and 7.0 rebounds per game. Her 24 points tied her season-best at Benedictine on Nov. 24.
Cameron said she was more aggressive in the second half because of a matchup advantage.
"I think I just realized that they were undersized and weren't going to go up for blocks," Cameron said. "That gave me more confidence."
JBU hit 24 of 51 shots from the field and 8 of 22 behind the 3-point line.
Senior Brooke Barker scored 14 points with seven rebounds, including nine points in the first half. Deines added eight points for JBU, while Courtney Fine scored all seven of her points off the bench in the first half.
Adrianna White led Southwestern Christian with 22 points, while Andi McGill had 14 and Maranda Janz 10.
JBU also avenged an earlier loss 53-38 to Southwestern Christian (9-12) on Jan. 14 in Bethany, Okla. With the win, JBU moved into a three-way tie for third place with Southwestern Christian and Southwestern Assemblies of God.
"This was a good win for us," Soderquist said. "I'm proud of the girls."
JBU was back in action on Saturday at Wayland Baptist (Texas). Results were not available at presstime. The Golden Eagles return to Texas this week for games Thursday at Texas Wesleyan and Saturday at Southwestern Assemblies of God.
John Brown 66, Southwestern Christian 58
Southwestern Christian^13^17^19^9^--^58
John Brown^13^18^17^18^--^66
Southwestern Christian (9-12, 6-5): White 22, McGill 14, Janz 10, Hadley 8, Johnson 2, McKnight 2.
John Brown (13-10, 6-5): Cameron 24, Barker 14, Deines 8, Fine 7, Powell 6, Knox 5, Reece 2.
Sports on 02/07/2016