JBU storms back for road victory

Photo submitted John Brown junior Jake Caudle drives the lane Tuesday against Central Christian (Kan.) in McPherson, Kan.
Photo submitted John Brown junior Jake Caudle drives the lane Tuesday against Central Christian (Kan.) in McPherson, Kan.

MCPHERSON, Kan. -- Facing a near 20-point deficit in the first half, the John Brown University men's basketball team used a late first-half rally that continued into the second half and swung the contest 31 points before capturing a difficult 84-72 win at Central Christian (Kan.) inside Ed Pyle Sports Complex on Tuesday night.

The Golden Eagles (6-3, 2-0 Sooner Athletic) were on the verge of dropping a decidedly lopsided affair staring down a 19-point deficit, 35-16, with more than six minutes remaining in the first half. Instead, John Brown responded.

Jump-started by a Josh Bowling three-point play and followed by a trey from freshman Nathan Corder, JBU completed a 20-8 rally to complete the first half, dulling the lead to just seven at the intermission, 43-36.

The second half featured a flipping of the script from the first. After shooting poorly in the first period, JBU responded with a 53.6 percent mark in the second, while Central Christian (5-4, 0-3) went from a 50 percent clip in the first to a mere 36 percent efficiency in the second.

Fresh off the break, the visitors immediately pieced together a 29-21 run to take a 65-64 lead on a pair of Bowling makes at the line. Armed with momentum and hot shooting, John Brown began to build a lead of its own, completing a 31-point swing.

With a key and-one play down low from sophomore Mateo Habzin and a triple from Bowling on the left wing with 3:14 remaining, the Golden Eagles cemented its come-from-behind win with a game-ending 14-7 run.

"What a gritty comeback," head coach Jason Beschta said. "By the time we took the lead, we had enough momentum to create a cushion late. We had a very strong second half. I'm proud of the response we had on the road against a good team.

"Brenton (Toussaint) and Mateo were crucial in the post and Josh (Bowling) had a tremendous all-around game, especially making plays for others. With solid outings from Marquis (Waller) and Jake (Caudle), we're getting good minutes out of our young guys. I'm excited about the direction of the team."

Bowling finished with a season-best 19 points on 5-of-11 shooting, and also registered three boards, six assists (a career high) and five steals. Junior Jake Caudle also scored 19 while grabbing eight boards.

Junior Marquis Waller and sophomore Brenton Toussaint each tallied an identical 12 points and seven boards.

Cam Martin registered 19 points in the loss for Central Christian. Jubril Osagie added a double-double with 14 points and a game-high 11 boards.

To accompany a 41-35 advantage on the boards, JBU converted 22-of-27 from the line and out-scored CCC 70-49 in the paint.

JBU returned to action Saturday against No. 23 Oklahoma City. Results were not available at presstime.

Sports on 12/10/2017