OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma City men's basketball team earned a major victory on Tuesday night by taking down John Brown inside Abe Lemons Arena as the Stars were able to hold on to a 65-60 triumph.  

Both teams got off to a slow start with only 11 points combined in the first seven minutes of play. Oklahoma City (5-13, 3-9 SAC) gained the lead for the first time with 6:57 to go as Jack McWilliams tipped in the offensive board to put OCU up 14-13. 

John Brown (10-7, 8-4) opened the second half with a 9-1 run as Malachi Reeves and Tyren Collins pushed the Golden Eagles in front five minutes into the half.  

OCU battled back as Brandon Jackson sunk one of his three makes from downtown just before freshman Yorgio Golesis gave Oklahoma City the lead once and for all with 13:19 to play.  

Off the bench, Sam Taulapiu gave the Stars a spark with two and one layups, converting from the line each time as Avery Jackson provided a three of his own to give the Stars their biggest lead of the night at 11 points with 6:42 left on the clock.  

As JBU closed in, Brandon Jackson hit the jumper that became the dagger to clip the wings of the Golden Eagles as the Stars sunk their free throws down the stretch to grab hold of a 65-60 win on Tuesday night. 

Brandon Jackson concluded with a team-high 22 points while shooting 3-6 from beyond the arc. Jackson picked up a season-high three steals which led to a pair of fastbreak jams. 

Avery Jackson followed behind as the sophomore netted 17 points while tying Yorgio Golesis and Parker Jones for the team-high in rebounds with six.  

Sam Taulapiu became the spark off the bench that the Stars needed on Tuesday night as Taulapiu notched a career-high 10 points while going a perfect 6-6 from the charity stripe.  

Oklahoma City held John Brown to just 60 points, being the least number of points OCU has allowed this season  

Oklahoma City wraps up its three-game home stand on Thursday, Jan. 25 as the Stars host No. 2 Langston University at 7:45 PM.