Box Score PORTALES, N.M. – Five players scored in double figures for Wayland Baptist, but the 12
th-ranked Pioneers wound up on the short end of an 84-75 final with Eastern New Mexico University here Thursday afternoon.
"We didn't play very well today," Wayland coach
Ty Harrelson said.
Seeing their first action in 13 days to cap a seven-game road swing, the Pioneers (10-3) led most of the first half and were up by two at halftime. But ENMU (4-8) went on a 15-2 run early in the second half to take control, and Wayland's comeback efforts fell short.
"We didn't move the ball the way we want to. We were a little bit stagnant with our movement, but when you don't practice that can happen," said Harrelson, pointing out that the Pioneers' workouts have been limited the last several days due to the holidays plus weather-related travel issues for players returning from the Christmas break.
"We were dealing with the extended (holiday) break and also some problems because of the weather that limited our practices. We had guys driving from the airport to the game today," Harrelson said. "But that's no excuse. They just beat us today."
The Pioneers, who defeated ENMU, 88-76, in an exhibition Nov. 3 in Plainview, were led by
Marquous Barnes' 13 points. Jordan Nelson,
Jordon Johnson and
Robert Waters added 12 points apiece, and
Cody Thomas went for 11.
The Greyhounds were paced by sophomore guard Javaan Mumtaz with 19 points, senior forward Lawrence Domingo with 18 and Chris Wyms with 17. Chaunce Hill tacked on 12.
ENMU outrebounded Wayland, 57-44, with Hill, a 6-foot-7 forward, grabbing 17 boards and Domingo 14. The 'Hounds finished with 19 offensive rebounds and outscored Wayland in second-chance points, 19-4.
"They dominated us on the boards," Harrelson said. "Domingo did a really good job of getting position, and Hill blocked five shots in addition to his 17 rebounds. Both teams missed a lot of shots, but they were getting it back and getting second opportunities."
Wayland's biggest lead was 36-30, and the Pioneers were in front at intermission, 40-38. WBU was on top 43-42 when ENMU went on its 15-2 run, turning a one-point deficit into a 12-point, 57-45 advantage.
The Pioneers benefited from back-to-back 3-pointers from Waters to cut an 11-point deficit to five, 72-67, with 3:24 left. Later, Nelson scored five straight points to make it a 3-point game, 75-72, with 2:00 remaining.
After the Greyhounds hit a pair of free throws, Wayland missed a 3-pointer and its next two jump shots, and ENMU kept draining free throws while the Pioneers failed to gain any more ground.
The Greyhounds' last 16 points came at the free throw line where ENMU went 16-of-18 over the final 4:37.
"We put the wrong guys on the line a couple of times," said Harrelson, who also was disappointed at the way his team finished both halves.
"We've been really good at the end of halves, but today we didn't play well at the end of either half. That's uncharacteristic for us, but I give credit to ENMU."
Both teams shot 37 percent from the field, with Wayland going 29-of-78 and ENMU 25-of-68. The Pioneers hit 5-of-21 (24 percent) from 3-point range and the Greyhounds 27 percent (6-of-22). Wayland was 12-of-20 (60 percent) from the free throw line while ENMU ended 28-of-40 (70 percent) at the stripe.
Wayland will be back in Hutcherson Center for the first time since Nov. 23 when the Pioneers return to Sooner Athletic Conference play against St. Gregory's (6-4, 1-1) on Jan. 7 in a doubleheader with the Flying Queens. The Pioneers are 2-0 in the SAC.
"We're in the conference now, and the guys are excited to play at home next Thursday. It's been a long time," Harrelson said. "We have to get back to playing together."
