The No. 3 Langston University Lions pushed their current win streak to five games on Saturday evening, knocking off the John Brown University Golden Eagles 85-54 inside C.F. Gayles Field House.
The Lions had strong first half, shooting 55 percent (17-of-31) from the field, and knocking down 10-of-14 free throw tries. Langston held JBU to 40 percent (11-of-27) shooting including a 0-for-9 mark from three-point range to build a 47-32 halftime advantage.
Statistically, little changed after halftime as the Lions roared to a 38-22 second half advantage and the eventual 85-54 victory. The victory moves the Lions to 21-1 overall and 15-1 in the Sooner Athletic Conference standings.
Despite the lopsided victory, head coach Chris Wright noted his team still has room to improve as they close out the remaining six games in the regular season.
“I’m glad we could find a way to win when we were as disinterested on the glass as we were. We will get this fixed, it’s not going to be a very fun week for our guys.”
AJ Rainey and Tristan Harper led Langston in scoring with 16 points apiece. James Ellis chipped in 15, D’Monte Brown pumped in 12 and Cortez Mosley finished with 11.
Collectively, the Lions hit 50 percent (31-of-62) on the night and finished 18-of-25 from free throw range.
Langston has completed an impressive 20-win turnaround after finishing 1-27 during the 2021-22 season; for reference the current NCAA DI record book notes the most improved team from one season to the next as Townson University which went 1-31 in 2012 to 18-13 in 2013. The mark in NCAA DII was set by New Mexico Highland which went from 1-26 to 20-8 in 2009.
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