#MustangsWin! #14 CBC Holds Off Florida College to Open JBU Classic!

Erik Holth, CBC Sports Information Director

            Siloam Springs, Ark. – Playing on the first day of the John Brown University Classic, #14 Central Baptist College men's basketball took on the Falcons of Florida College in a matchup of two NAIA National Tournament teams from last season. #14 CBC (4-0) fought off several charges from FC (2-4) leading by 11 at the half before winning 83-75.

            Gabe Johnson and Jonas Carlisle were the co-leading scorers with 16 each while Devin Foster chipped in with 15 off the bench and Sage Borbon had 10. The Mustangs won the game with three pointers, where they made 12 to just three for the Falcons, free throws, which went nine to four in favor of the Mustangs and on turnovers, where CBC scored 21 points off 18 FC turnovers compared to allowing just six points off 12 turnovers.

GAME FLOW

            The Mustangs raced out to an 8-0 lead over the first 2:02 before FC went on an 11-2 run to put CBC down 11-10 with 14:46 left in the first. Jumpers from Carlisle and Foster put CBC back up by three before FC retook the lead 15-14. A three from Devon Jefferson with 11:45 left in the half made it 17-15 and the Mustangs would hold the lead the rest of the half, taking a 45-34 lead into the locker room.

            In the second half, the Mustangs started cold before Wade Williams made the first field goal for CBC at 3:03 but Florida College did not go away, as they put the Mustangs down 55-53 with 12:30 left to play. Keryn Collins' jumper on the ensuing possession tied the score at 55 and Hykeem Hancock's jumper in the paint a minute later made it 57-55 with 11:30 left in the contest. A three from Foster stretched the lead to five with 11 minutes to play and CBC would have to fight back again, as FC went on a 10-4 run to take a 65-64 lead with 7:42 to go. From there, CBC locked down on defense and outscored FC 19-11 the rest of the way, retaking the lead with 7:06 left on a three by Carlisle and, after FC tied the game at 67 with 6:06 to play, Williams made a jumper in the lane to put CBC up 69-67 with 5:14 left. CBC never let the lead get below four the rest of the game before closing out the victory.

UP NEXT

            CBC returns to the court at Bill George Arena tomorrow for their final game of the JBU Classic when they take on Webber International. Tipoff against the Warriors is scheduled for 1 p.m.