Box Score DALLAS –
Juhreece Thompson scored 27 points and
Tanner Hazelbaker 20 to lead the Wayland Baptist Pioneers to a confidence-building 80-79 road win over Dallas Baptist University here Saturday night.
"A lot of kids made big plays on both sides. We were just able to make a couple more late," Wayland coach Matt Garnett said. "It was their homecoming and it was a sellout, so the atmosphere was already there for a really exciting game.
"This was a big road win, something we've been working hard toward."
The Pioneers (2-2) trailed by seven, 71-64, with 4½ minutes remaining, but outscored the Patriots (1-2) 9-2 the rest of regulation to send the game into overtime tied at 73. A lay-up by Thompson with just under 2 minutes left provided the final points before the extra period, and an in-the-paint block by Wayland's Eric Milan on Dallas Baptist's 6-foot-8 Nick Fox toward the end of regulation assured the Pioneers of five more minutes.
Garnett called Milam's block on Fox, who led the Patriots with 27 points, a "huge defensive play. They ran a play (to get the ball to Fox) and Eric was able to get a hand on it."
In overtime, Hazelbaker hit the last of his four 3-pointers to open the scoring, then
Travis Payton – who ended with 11 points, eight rebounds and five assists – also scored for Wayland. The Patriots rallied to lead 79-78, only to see Hazelbaker come through again with the winning jump shot following a DBU turnover with 1:07 to go.
"Tanner made several big baskets in crucial situations," Garnett said.
Neither team scored again, with the Patriots missing a desperation 3-pointer just before the final horn.
"Both teams played well in stretches and not so well in stretches," Garnett said.
Thompson, who also had eight rebounds and hit a pair of 3-pointers early in the game, was 8-of-12 from the field and 9-of-12 from the free-throw line.
"Juhreece had a very good stretch, especially in the second half, when he was very aggressive looking to score," Garnett said.
Hazelbaker finished 7-of-11 from the field, including 4-of-7 from long range. Wayland shot 51 percent (30-of-59) for the game, including a blistering 47 percent (8-of-17) from downtown. The Pioneers made 12-of-20 free throws.
Dallas Baptist was led by Fox's 27 points and eight rebounds as he led three Patriots in double-figure scoring. Like Wayland, DBU also hit eight 3-pointers, out of 24 attempts, and was 17-of-22 from the charity stripe.
While thrilled with the win, Garnett was quick to point out the Pioneers still have a lot of work to do.
"The last thing we need to be is satisfied right now. We should be excited about a win and build on this positive momentum, but it's still very early in the process of developing into a team that can do this on a consistent basis. There are a lot of things we need to go back and improve on."
The Pioneers next play back-to-back home games at 8 p.m. Monday against what Garnett called a "very well-coached" Arlington Baptist team and at 7 p.m. Tuesday against St. Thomas-Houston before going on the road for three straight, including taking on Columbia University in California on Nov. 23.
"We have to be able to turn around and handle winning," Garnett said. "We have to be focused tomorrow and focused on our preparation.
"It's a great win tonight, but our thoughts have to turn quickly to Monday and Tuesday."
