OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Mid-America Christian University Lady Evangels overcame a 12-point deficit to defeat the John Brown University Golden Eagles 56-53 in Sooner Athletic Conference action tonight (Jan. 8) inside the Gaulke Activity Center. 

The Lady Evangels were aided by a stout defensive second half performance, holding the Golden Eagles scoreless for the first five minutes of the half and to only 28.6 percent (8-of-28) overall and 20 percent (2-of-10) from the perimeter in the final stanza. 

The Golden Eagles still led 49-47 until a bucket from Alexia Kelley and a three by Ashlee Ferguson put the Lady Evangels in front for good with 1:45 left. 

Following a score from Sofia Mendoza that pulled JBU within one, Ferguson again came through with a driving layup that made it 54-51 with 1:04 left. 

Morgan Ankrom then scored for the Golden Eagles to once again make it a one-point game, but Alliyah Spatafora was fouled with five seconds left and made both crucial free throws to stretch the lead again to three. 

JBU had one final crack at it but a potential game-tying three bounced off the rim as time expired.  

The Golden Eagles controlled much of the first half, using a 12-2 spurt to jump out to a 12-point lead of 24-12 at the 6:58 mark. 

The deficit was 10 when Ferguson scored seven points over the final 5:53 of the half to help the Lady Evangels close within 33-27 at the break. 

Ferguson fueled the Lady Evangels (9-3, 2-1 SAC) with a game-high 26 points, while D'Shala Culberson tied her career-best with a game-high 11 rebounds.  Spatafora dished out a team-best four assists and also had a game-high five steals.  

Lauren Rodgers led JBU with 12 points and Ankrom added 10.  Mendoza had a team-high 10 boards for the Golden Eagles (5-9, 0-3 SAC). 

The Lady Evangels will next face a stern test Saturday afternoon (Jan. 10) at No. 2-ranked Oklahoma City University.  Tip-off is set for 3 p.m. at Abe Lemons Arena on the OCU campus.