Box Score The Pioneer defense held Oklahoma Baptist to one of its lowest offensive outputs of the season, but the #7 Bison managed to hold on to a 61-54 victory.
The defending national champions entered Friday afternoon's game at Hutcherson Center averaging 86.5 points and hitting an NAIA-leading 53 percent of their field goals. Against the relentless half-court trap defense of the WBU men, however, the Bison made only 37 percent from the field and hit just 5 of their 13 long range shots.
A layup by C'Jamarion Leashore gave the Pioneers a five-point lead eight minutes into the contest, but OBU answered with eight straight.
Freshman Nathan Harbour hit a jumper with 3:06 left in the first half to put WBU back on top 21-19. It was the last lead of the game for the Pioneers, who went into the intermission down 30-24.
Bobby Watkins, who played just three minutes of the first half because of early foul trouble, tied the game at 32 three minutes into the second period. The Pioneers tied it again four minutes later on a Josh Teague break-away, but once again the Bison answered with a 5-0 run.
Rodrigo Silva, who had a double-double at the half, finished the game with 16 points and 13 rebounds. Watkins added 10, all in the second period, and had eight boards.
The Pioneers outscored OBU 34-20 inside and had the advantage on the boards, 43-27, but 21 turnovers resulted in 25 Bison points.
Maurice Foster led OBU, which improved to 20-4 and 14-2, with 16 points.
Wayland drops to 7-17 overall and 2-15 in conference play. The Pioneers take on St. Gregory's University, which is 5-15 and 2-14, on Saturday at 3 pm.
