Box Score WAXAHACHIE –
Ta'Quan McDew scored 21 points while
Royal Crouch contributed a double-double as No. 21 Wayland Baptist picked up a key Sooner Athletic Conference victory here Saturday afternoon over No. 25 Southwestern Assemblies of God University, 87-77.
"I thought the guys focused in (Friday) and this morning on what we are good at, and we played a real long stretch of that game executing the game plan and rebounding the ball well," Wayland coach
Matt Garnett said.
The Pioneers (19-4, 8-4 SAC) led by as many as 23 points midway through the second half, but the Lions (17-7, 7-5) – winners of seven of their last eight – came roaring back and trimmed the lead to five with just under two minutes left.
"Give credit to SAGU. They won a comeback game on Thursday (64-62 over Southwestern Christian), and they're known to be able to find ways to win games and comeback," Garnett said.
The Pioneers, though, hit 11-of-14 free throws down the stretch to win their third straight following a two-loss hiccup.
"Our guys had the poise to handle it and made plays down the stretch to win it," said Garnett, whose team won a similar game on Thursday against Texas Wesleyan.
McDew was the free throw hero for Wayland, hitting 9-of-10 for the game including seven in the final two minutes. Crouch added three clutch foul shots and
Jordon Johnson one.
"We have multiple guys who have been stepping up late in games and making free throws, which is a sign of mental toughness," Garnett said. "We definitely have some guys who showed that this weekend."
Behind McDew's 21, Crouch ended with 20 points and 12 rebounds – his second double-double in three games – while
Bunja Yaboe just missed a double-deuce with 15 boards and eight points, along with four blocks.
Plamen Hristov tacked on 13 points and Johnson 10.
"I was pleased with our depth today," Garnett said. "Jordon played very well, and we have a lot of different guys who can help us. They all have to keep working very hard, and they're showing they want to do that."
The Lions, who got 22 points from Rishaad Alexander and 17 points and 12 rebounds from Jonathan Walter, jacked up 47 3-pointers, making 12 of them for 26 percent.
Wayland, which defeated SAGU in Plainview 95-72, hit a very respectable 48 percent (30-of-62) from the field, including 4-of-11 from long range, and 23-of-34 free throws (68 percent). The Pioneers held a 54-42 rebounding advantage and overcame 18 turnovers, seven more than SAGU.
"We played a stretch of basketball in the second half when we really forced tough shots, rebounded the ball, and played tough defense," Garnett said. "We were fortunate to get a lead, but we know they're a good team and it was going to take every possession" to win.
The Pioneers are back at home following a four-game road trip when they host Oklahoma City University at 8 p.m. Thursday. The Stars (12-6, 8-4) on Saturday topped Southwestern Christian – the team Wayland hosts next Saturday – 75-63 for their sixth straight victory.
"They're red-hot," Garnett said of the Stars. "They started off conference a little shaky but they are playing great basketball now. We are going to have to be at our best. This coming week will be a huge challenge."
Wayland will be looking to avenge its first loss of the season way back on Dec. 6 when the Stars won in Abe Lemons Arena, 93-89.
"We'll go back to work Monday trying to get better," Garnett said. "We've had some success of late because we're continuing to improve as a team, so we're going to work really hard Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday in order to have the opportunity on Thursday to play well."
