Box Score HOBBS, N.M. – Playing on the road for the first time after seven season-opening home games and coming off their first loss of the season, No. 12 Wayland Baptist rode the 22 points of
Marshall Nelson to a 90-87 victory over the University of the Southwest here Saturday night.
"It was our first game away from home this season, so it was good to get a win on the road," Wayland coach
Ty Harrelson said.
It was Wayland's second win over the Mustangs in five days as the Pioneers won over USW in Plainview on Monday, 107-89.
Saturday's rematch was closer, with Wayland (5-1) trailing the Mustangs (4-4) by as many as 11 points midway through the first half. But the Pioneers had taken the lead by the time the teams broke for intermission, 39-38.
Wayland started out the second half on fire and rocketed to its largest lead, 12 points, three minutes into the second half.
The Mustangs gradually closed the gap but Wayland was able to keep them at arm's length. USW made several 3-pointers in the final minutes to close the gap, but the Pioneers responded by nailing timely free throws.
"I'm proud of the guys. They made free throws and made plays to win the game," Harrelson said. "Marshall hit a couple of 3s and made free throws, and
Jordan Tolbert made some free throws down the stretch."
The Pioneers hit 29-of-35 foul shots (83 percent) and 11-of-27 3-pointers, with Nelson going 5-of-8 from distance.
Nelson, who scored his season-high 22 in 19 minutes, was one of five Pioneers in double figures.
Robert Waters finished with 17 points,
Maurice Redmond and
Jordon Johnson 11 each, and
Jordan Tolbert 10.
Marquous Barnes pulled down eight rebounds for Wayland, which held a 46-45 edge on the boards.
"Marquous had some big rebounds for us late in the game," Harrelson said.
After committing 28 turnovers in Friday's 114-97 loss to No. 25 Our Lady of the Lake, Wayland reduced its giveaways to 17 Saturday.
"I'm proud of the guys. Despite some adversity and a couple of things going against us, they took care of the ball. They could have easily lost their composure and lost focus, but they didn't," Harrelson said.
After taking Sunday off, Wayland plays its third game in four days Monday back at Hutcherson Center against Sul Ross State. The Lobos lost their season-opener to the University of St. Thomas in Houston on Nov. 15, 94-61. Tipoff is at 7 p.m.
It will be Wayland's final outing before the start of Sooner Athletic Conference play Dec. 3 against John Brown in Siloam Springs, Ark.
