Box Score ABILENE –
Robert Waters poured in 28 points and
Anietie Jack 27 to lead 12
th-ranked Wayland Baptist to a 103-91 win over McMurry University here Friday night.
Waters hit 7-of-9 from 3-point range, helping the Pioneers (10-2) bounce back from just their second loss of the season 24 hours earlier in San Antonio. Jack's 27-point effort was a career-high for the sophomore transfer.
Maurice Redmond added 16 points and
Marshall Nelson 15 for Wayland, which hit 11-of-26 (42 percent) from beyond the arc and 49 percent (39-of-80) from the field overall.
Wayland trailed only once the entire game. After scoring the first seven points of the game, Wayland fell behind 18-17, but retook the lead 15 seconds later and never trailed again. The Pioneers' largest lead of the first half came at intermission when WBU held a nine-point, 48-39 advantage.
"We started a little bit slow, but just before halftime we turned it on," Harrelson said.
The Warhawks (1-9) twice pulled to within four points early in the second half, the last time at 50-46. From there, the Pioneers slowly began to pull away. A 3-pointer by
Marshall Nelson gave WBU a 60-48 lead, and the Pioneers kept their lead at double digits the rest of the way.
Wayland's largest lead was 23 points, the last time at 83-60. McMurry got within 10 points after that, but never closer.
"We looked good most of the second half," Harrelson said. "We got a little tired and McMurry made some shots, but it was still good to go in there and get a win."
The Pioneers dominated the Warhawks on the boards, 57-37. Redmond and Jack pulled down nine rebounds each for Wayland, while Waters and
Jordon Johnson got seven apiece. Waters also had six assists and Redmond five.
"Rob Waters was good like always, and AJ really made some great plays in the second half. He crashed the offensive boards and got some putbacks and just played really strong basketball," Harrelson said. "I also thought Marshall and Maurice played solid, all-around games."
McMurry was led by LaRandall Scroggins' 19 points and seven rebounds. The Warhawks shot 47 percent (34-of-73) from the field, 38 percent (9-of-24) from 3-point range, and 54 percent (14-of-26) from the foul line, where the Pioneers were 14-of-19 (74 percent.)
Harrelson is happy with where the Pioneers stand after the first half of the regular-season.
"It's great to have 10 wins, and we have a really good team atmosphere going into the Christmas break," he said.
Wayland wraps up a seven-game road swing Dec. 31 against Eastern New Mexico. The Pioneers return home and get back to Sooner Athletic Conference action Jan. 7 against St. Gregory's.
"We have a couple of guys who could use some rest, so the break will be good for them," Harrelson said. "We'll come back on the 27
th and start preparing for Eastern New Mexico."
