JBU 110, Ozark Christian 51
Freshman Desmond Kennedy made a splash in his second collegiate outing by hitting four 3-pointers, scoring 24 points, and the John Brown University men's basketball team cruised to a second win in three days with a 110-51 win over Ozark Christian (Mo.) on Monday night inside Bill George Arena.
For the second time in as many games, the Golden Eagles (2-0) shot over 50 percent (37-of-71) and received more than 40 points from the bench.
The visiting Ambassadors (0-3) moved to 0-8 all-time inside Bill George Arena, hampered by 31 turnovers, 15 unforced, and a 22 percent (7-of-32) shooting effort in the second half. JBU ballooned an already lopsided affair, 51-27 at the break, into a 59-point victory.
Off the bench, Kennedy poured in a game-best 24 points on 8 of 14 shooting from the floor, while senior Jake Caudle turned in yet another workman-like performance with 18 points and three assists.
Before wandering into foul trouble, sophomore Rokas Grabliauskas contributed 11 points on 4 of 6 shooting and seniors Josh Bowling and Dwayne Hart each posted 10 points.
Freshman Luke Harper dished out a game-best six assists to accompany an 8-point performance.
Hitting nine triples in each half, and finishing the game nearly 50 percent from behind the arc (18-of-39), the game was never in doubt after Caudle, twice, and Kennedy hit triples that expanded a 10-2 lead into a 23-7 advantage quickly midway through the first half.
Freshman Ira Perrier came off the bench to grab seven boards, leading an effort that saw the hosts out-rebound the Ambassadors 44-32. JBU converted 18 offensive caroms into 20 second-chance points as the hosts dominated the paint, 50-18.
The Golden Eagles will face their first road test of the young season on Friday with a trip up to Olathe, Kan., to take on MidAmerica Nazarene at 7:30 p.m. before kick-starting a three-game homestand the following day.
-- From JBU Sports Information
Sports on 11/07/2018