Box Score USAO got off to a 14-2 start, including a 10-0 run, and never trailed in eliminating the Pioneers, 84-74, in the first round of the Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament Tuesday in Lubbock.
The Pioneers cut the lead to 40-35 with 1:38 left in the first half, but the Drovers got the lead back out to 47-38 by the intermisson.
USAO used a 12-0 run early in the second half to build a 57-40 lead. The Pioneers got no closer than 10 points the rest of the way.
Jason Griffin was 9-of-12 from the floor with two three-pointers to total a game-high 21 points. Tyrone Crawford finished out his career with a career-high 18 points. The Albuquerque native also handed out four assists, recorded two steals and hauled down a team-high seven rebounds.
The Pioneer's other senior starter, wing Jon Hurt, had eight points, six boards and a career-high eight assists.
Wayland dominated on the boards, outrebounding the Drover's 39-25, but committed 22 turnovers which resulted in 21 USAO points. The Drovers also made 35 trips to the charity stripe, resulting in 26 points. The Pioneers made 15 of their 19 free throw attempts.
The WBU men end their season with a 15-16 overall mark.