Box Score Bethany, Okla---The Pioneers struggled from the floor against Southern Nazarene on Thursday night, shooting a little better than 38 percent en route to a 77-59 conference loss.
The WBU men were led by Jason Griffin's 21 points.
The Storm jumped out to an early lead, but the Pioneers rallied and took their first lead of the game at the 11:10 mark when Griffin hit a 3-pointer. Jon Hurt added another three on Wayland's ensuing possession to give the Pioneers a 19-15 edge.
After regaining the lead a couple of possessions later, the Crimson Storm began an 11-4 run that put them up 34-27 with 4:03 left in the half.
The Storm outscored the Pioneers 10-5 just before intermission and took a 44-32 lead into the lockerroom at the break.
Wayland opened the second half with a couple of quick jumpers by Tyrone Crawford and Hurt that pulled WBU to within ten, but SNU continuted to keep the Pioneers at bay.
The teams traded baskets through the middle portion of the period, and at one point the Pioneers closed the gap to eight before the Storm went on a 9-2 run that increased their lead to 17 with 4:03 left.
In the final four minutes the WBU men scored only three points -- when Griffin made a trey with 19 seconds on the clock.
The Storm (18-11) dominated in the paint, outscoring Wayland 22-6 and earning 16 second-chance points off of 14 offensive rebounds.
Brandon Durham led the Storm with 16 points.
The Pioneers (15-14, 7-14) conclude the regular season at 3 p.m. Saturday in Chickasha, Okla. against USAO.
-courtesy of the Plainview Daily Herald-
