Defensive switch spurs JBU

n The Golden Eagles closed the first half on a 35-7 run.

Photo courtesy of JBU Sports Information John Brown junior Ricky Roberts drives to the basket as St. Gregory’s defender Stephen Walter tries to draw a charge during Thursday’s game at Bill George Arena. Roberts scored 24 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in JBU’s 80-64 victory.
Photo courtesy of JBU Sports Information John Brown junior Ricky Roberts drives to the basket as St. Gregory’s defender Stephen Walter tries to draw a charge during Thursday’s game at Bill George Arena. Roberts scored 24 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in JBU’s 80-64 victory.

All it took was a timeout and a change in defensive strategy for John Brown to turn things around Thursday night.

The Golden Eagles trailed St. Gregory's 19-14 with 10 minutes, 13 seconds left after an easy basket by Cavaliers guard Rodney Smith, capping a 10-2 SGU run and forcing JBU coach Jason Beschta to call a timeout.

During the timeout, JBU switched a seldom-used defense this season, which sparked a 35-7 run to close the half. The Golden Eagles led by 23 at halftime, as many as 29 in the second half and won easily 80-64 at Bill George Arena.

"We switched to a 2-3 zone, which we've probably played four to five possessions all year, and it slowed them down," Beschta said. "They weren't driving on us as much. We got some stops and we really capitalized."

Ricky Roberts led JBU (11-10, 4-5) with a double-double effort of 24 points and 10 rebounds, while Luke Moyer scored 17 points. Griffin Brady had a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds, while Zach English added 10 points.

Moyer led the first-half comeback by scoring five straight points to pull the Golden Eagles within 21-20, and JBU took the lead for good on a 3-pointer by Jake Caudle. Roberts then scored 11 of JBU's next 15 points as the Golden Eagles pulled ahead 38-23.

Moyer hit a pair of 3-pointers before halftime as JBU led 49-26.

"We were having fun, and that's when we're really at our best," Beschta said.

JBU led by as many as 29 points in the second half. St. Gregory's (7-10, 2-7) ended the second half on a 17-4 run to make the final score closer.

The Golden Eagles hit 28 of 62 shots from the field but only 8 of 29 from behind the 3-point line. JBU did make 16 of 21 free throws, including 10 of 11 from Roberts.

St. Gregory's hit 22 of 66 from the field and only 7 of 28 from behind the 3-point line.

Stephen Walter led St. Gregory's with 18 points while Richard Shields had 16.

JBU returned to action on Saturday at home against Oklahoma City. Results were not available at presstime. The Golden Eagles play again on Thursday against Southwestern Christian (Okla.), which JBU defeated 88-77 in Bethany, Okla., on Jan. 14.

John Brown 80, St. Gregory's 64

St. Gregory's^26^38^--^64

John Brown^49^31^--^80

St. Gregory's (7-10, 2-7): Walter 18, Shields 16, Smith 7, Hawkins 7, Bills 6, Lemusu 4, Ritchie 3, Stromberg 2, Mattox 1.

John Brown (11-10, 4-5): Roberts 24, Moyer 17, Brady 13, English 10, Waller 6, Martinez 4, Caudle 3, Joseph 3.

Sports on 01/31/2016