Siloam Springs, Ark. - Kourtni Williams scored a game-high 23 points, but perhaps her biggest play of the night was on the defensive end in leading the Mid-America Christian University Lady Evangels to a dramatic, 58-56 victory over the John Brown University Lady Eagles in a Sooner Athletic Conference matchup Thursday evening (Jan. 5) in Siloam Springs, Ark.
With the Lady Evangels leading 57-55 late in the second half, Williams blocked the potential tying shot by Jessica Berlin with 22 seconds left.
That led to a foul that sent Berlin to the line for two free-throws, but Berlin could only split at the charity stripe, leaving the Lady Evangels still up by one.
Williams was then fouled and also split two at the line to give MACU a two-point lead and Price sealed the victory with a steal on the defensive end as time expired.
The contest was nip and tuck throughout, with eight ties and five lead changes.
JBU led 35-31 at the break and 48-46 following a trey by Kortni Barenburg at the 5:43 mark of the second half.
Williams responded by hitting two free throws and knocking down a three for a 51-48 lead with 4:44 left.
It was 51-50 when Williams again scored and Parris Price nailed two free-throws that put the Lady Evangels up by five.
But the Lady Eagles wouldn't go quietly as Garrison scored again and a three by Sierra Shipley tied the score at 55-55 at the 1:04 mark.
Price then drove inside for a layup to give the Lady Evangels (8-5, 2-5 SAC) a lead they wouldn't relinquish with 48 seconds left.
In addition to her 23 points, Williams also had four rebounds and two assists. Price scored 16 and also had four boards, while Nicole Wittman recorded a team-high five rebounds.
Garrison paced the Lady Eagles (8-7, 2-5 SAC) with 17 points and seven rebounds, with Shipley chipping in with 11 points.
After allowing the Lady Eagles to shoot 46.7 percent (14-of-30) in the opening 20 minutes, the Lady Evangels clamped down and limited JBU to only a 30.8 percent (8-of-26) shooting clip in the second half.
The Lady Evangels will next face a stern test at home against No. 25-ranked Rogers State on Saturday afternoon (Jan. 7). Tip-off is set for 3 p.m. at the Gaulke Activity Center.
