The Wayland Baptist Pioneers continued their best start in school history with a pair of convincing wins last week, and now one of the players responsible is being recognized.
Ta'Quan McDew, who posted career scoring highs in back-to-back games, was named NAIA National Division I Men's Basketball Player of the Week, a day after being recognized as Sooner Athletic Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Week.
A 6-foot-4 senior guard from Wabasso, Fla., McDew helped the now No. 11 Pioneers to two double-digit wins over ranked opponents. A first-year transfer from Frank Phillips College and Texas A&M-Kingsville, McDew averaged 24.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and shot 61 percent (17-of-28) from the field, including 53 percent (10-of-19) from 3-point range. He hit five 3-pointers in each game.
In a 105-68 victory over No. 12 Texas Wesleyan on Jan. 8, which represented the Rams' first loss of the season, McDew netted a career-high 24 points (his previous best was 18) and added eight rebounds and three assists.
Two days later in a 95-72 win over No. 25 Southwestern Assemblies of God University, McDew tallied another career-high with 25 points, along with five rebounds, two assists and a steal. With Wayland trailing by 12 points, McDew hit two 3-pointers to spark a game-changing 37-9 run.
"I thought Ta'Quan kept us in the game in the first half," WBU coach
Matt Garnett said. "He was really ready to play."
Wayland (14-1, 3-1 SAC) takes a six-game winning streak to Oklahoma City to face Mid-America Christian at 8 p.m. Thursday. The Pioneers are back in Hutcherson Center at 3 p.m. Saturday to take on University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma.
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