NAIA NATIONAL TOURNAMENT

JBU hangs on to defeat Life

E.J. McWoods
E.J. McWoods

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - John Brown let a 13-point second half lead slip away Thursday in the opening round of the men’s NAIA National Tournament, but the Golden Eagles made enough free throws in the final two minutes to hang on for a 68-66 victory against Life (Ga.) at Municipal Auditorium.

Senior guard E.J. McWoods hit two free throws with 36 seconds left to give JBU a 68-66 lead.

Life’s Latraius Mosley then drove the lane and passed to a wide open LaTarrance Carter in the corner. But Carter’s three-point attempt was off the mark and Kurtis Phillips rebounded for the Golden Eagles as time expired.

“It’s the most important game,” John Brown Coach Clark Sheehy said. “For us to survive their big push was really good.”

John Brown (28-6), ranked No. 4 in NAIA, advances to today’s 12:30 p.m. second-round game against Georgetown (Ky.). On Thursday, Georgetown (24-8) defeated St. Thomas (Texas) 70-68.

“I think their big guys are really good, probably one of the better posts I’ve seen in the country,” Sheehy said. “We’ve got to do a good job with the gameplan and get ready for that, cut loose and play well.”

The Golden Eagles led 45-32 in the second half Thursday, but went through a 5:06 stretch without scoring as the Running Eagles got back in the ballgame.

Life (19-13) outrebounded JBU 20-13 in the second half, including eight offensive rebounds.

“We came out of the half, and they got extra possessions on the glass,” Sheehy said. “At one point we thought we had stopped them six straight possessions, and they got extra shots. That’s what allowed them to get some momentum.”

Life took its first lead of the second half at 66-65 with 1:19 remaining on an basket inside by Mike Robertson.

Kofi Josephs hit 1 of 2 free throws on JBU’s next possession to tie the game and then came up with a steal to get the ball back for JBU.

The Golden Eagles advanced the ball around midcourt to McWoods, who was fouled with 36 seconds left. McWoods, who was third in the NAIA this season in freethrow percentage, sank what would be the game-winning free throws.

“Coach puts us in situations in practice just like that,” said McWoods, who had a game-high 18 points. “We shoot enough free throws in practice, so we get a lot of reps in. I concentrate on that when I’m down to that situation.”

Life had plenty of time to tie or take the lead after McWoods’ free throws. Life Coach John Barrett said the Running Eagles made the right plays on their final possession, but the shot just didn’t fall.

“We went for the shot we thought was best and when they covered it, we kicked it out to the corner like we’re supposed to,” Barrett said. “We knew he’d hit the shot or not hit it. This time we didn’t hit it. Really proud of the way they battled all the way to the end.”

Coleson Rakestraw and Josephs each added 15 points for the Golden Eagles, who made 23 of 55 shots from the fieldbut only 6 of 23 three-pointers.

“I think one thing we can do better is we can shoot it better,” Sheehy said. “Hopefully we’ll get in a rhythm and do it [today].”

Barrington Ferguson led Life with 17 points, while Robertson scored all 11 of his points in the second half.

WOMEN GEORGETOWN COLLEGE 66, LYON COLLEGE 55

FRANKFORT, Ky. - Georgetown (Ky.) College (23-9) overcame a six-point firsthalf deficit Thursday night and eliminated Lyon College (28-5) in the first round of the NAIA National Women’s Tournament in Frankfort, Ky.

The Tigers used a 22-9 run to begin the second half to advance to the round of 16, where it will face Lubbock Christian tonight.

Lyon led 29-23 with 1:23 left in the first half after two free throws from senior Phagen Altom. A field goal by Georgetown’s Andrea Howard and a three-pointer by Devon Goldman with 6 seconds remaining trimmed Lyon’s lead to 29-28 at intermission.

The Tigers increased the lead to as much as 58-44 with 1:50 left in the game.Lyon could get no closer than 64-55 after a rebound basket by sophomore Whitney Keith with 13 seconds remaining.

Neither team shot well as the Tigers were 34.6 percent from the field and the Lady Scots 38.8 percent. Georgetown was 27 of 34 at the free-throw line (79 percent)

Georgetown forced 19 Lyon turnovers.

Altom led Lyon with 17 points. Senior Debbie Onuwube had 14, while senior Suzanne Fincham added 13.

Howard led all scorers with 24 points. Kourtney Tyra added 19 for the Tigers.

Sports, Pages 21 on 03/15/2013

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