Season Closes With Loss to JBU

BETHANY, Okla. (March 5, 2010) – Coming off of the heels of a monstrous 67-64 win over No.2 Oklahoma Baptist University Thursday night in the opening round of the Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament, the Lubbock Christian University Chaparrals hoped to move into the championship game of the tournament with a win Friday night, but their luck ran out against a hot John Brown University.  The Golden Eagles used seven first-half three-pointers to cruise to a 77-60 victory over LCU at Southern Nazarene University’s Sawyer Center.

JBU shot the ball 60% in the opening half (15/25) and they were 46.7% (7/15) from beyond the arc.  The first half three-pointers for JBU matched the overall number of field goals the Chaps had in the first half, as they shot just 29.2% (7/24) from the field in the half.  Nine different individuals mixed into the offense for JBU in the opening half, as they led 48-25 at the half.  JBU also had a commanding 22-10 advantage in rebounds in the opening half.  Also hurting LCU in the half was personal fouls, as go-to players Douglas Williams Kenny Hewitt and Benoit Bekono were each whistled for three fouls in the half limiting their playing time.

The halftime lead was too much for the Chaps to overcome.  The closest LCU would get was 72-57 with 3:48 remaining in the second half.  LCU out-scored JBU 35-29 in the second half.

Sam Bartlett registered the double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds in the win.  Ryland Allen and Adrian Miller each co-led the Golden Eagles with 14 points.  JBU, who ended the game shooting 55.6% from the field (25/45), improved to 23-9 on the season and they advance into Saturday’s championship game against Rogers State University.   

LCU was led by the trio of Williams, Hewitt and Justin Tatum, who each contributed 12 points.  Bekono, Martin Ombok, Tatum and Taylor Wilson are LCU seniors that played in their final college game.  The Chaps close out the season with a 14-16 record.