Smith's triple barrage sends men's basketball to convincing 93-67 win over Philander Smith
SILOAM SPRINGS, Ark. -- Sophomore Benjamin Smith poured in a game-high 23 points and tied a single-game program record in the process, as the John Brown University shot 57.4 percent and exacted revenge with a 93-67 win over Philander Smith (Ark.) on Monday (Nov. 28) evening inside Bill George Arena.
Smith shot a perfect 7-of-7 from behind the arc and finished 8-of-9 from the field. His perfect mark from long range tied a three-year old record, set by Abel Galliguez in a 6-of-6 shooting performance from downtown against Lubbock Christian (Texas) in 2013. While technically tying the all-time single-game record, Smith moves into the top slot with his performance tonight.
The Golden Eagles (7-3) also received a hot shooting performance from sophomore Josh Bowling, a 6-of-6 mark from the floor, to finish with 17 points. Senior Ricky Roberts added 11 points and dished out a career-best seven assists in the win.
Sophomore Brandon Joseph came off the bench to add 10 points, including a pair of triples.
After taking a difficult 84-80 loss at Philander Smith (5-3) on Nov. 19, JBU responded by earning a 37-34 advantage on the boards and limited the Panthers to just 13 points on 18 offensive rebounds.
Shooting an impressive 62.5 percent from behind the arc (15-of-24), John Brown combined a staunch defense that held PSC to just 34.8 percent from the floor (24-of-69). A 10-of-35 effort by the visitors in the second half from the field (28.6 percent) allowed the Golden Eagles to break open a 41-31 halftime advantage into a 26-point victory.
Although JBU led throughout the majority of the contest, at the 14:29 mark of the second stanza, the Panthers embarked on a 9-0 run over the next 2:10 to pull within one, 47-46. A Roberts drive in the paint stalled the rally, only momentarily, as the squads stayed within five points over the next 2:55.
In the later stages of the half, Philander Smith hit a triple at the 8:22 mark to pull within 60-57, but a Bowling layup followed by one of Smith's four triples in the second half began the break the game open.
Finally a 15-4 run that featured a pair of triples, two from Smith and one from Joseph, broke open a 17-point lead, 80-63. With three seconds left, freshman Dwayne Hart's put-back dunk placed an exclamation point on JBU's lopsided victory.
Christopher Ward led the Panthers with 17 points on 8-of-21 shooting while Braylon Spicer, PSC's leading scorer, was held to 14 points and a pair of turnovers. Darrin Kee and Daldric Sergent contributed 11 and 10 points, respectively, in the loss.
Senior Miguel Martinez posted a pair of blocks, helping the hosts to five total in the contest, tying a season-high.
With the win, JBU moves to 7-1 at Bill George Arena and will now open Sooner Athletic play on Thursday (Dec. 1) when the Golden Eagles welcome Oklahoma City for an 8 p.m. tip-off.