Box Score Maurice Redmond and
Robert Waters combined for nine 3-pointers and 43 points to pace No. 17 Wayland Baptist to a 105-90 Sooner Athletic Conference victory over St. Gregory's University on Thursday night in Hutcherson Center.
"It was good to get back in the win column after a loss the other day," Wayland coach
Ty Harrelson said. "We shot the ball well today, and I felt like my assistant coaches did a good job of getting the guys prepared. The guys were able to focus on what they were supposed to do and go out and execute it, and I attribute that to the assistant coaches having everybody ready to go."
Redmond scored 22 points and Waters had 21, with all but two of Waters' coming in the second half when the Pioneers (11-3 overall, 3-0 SAC) held a comfortable lead most of the way.
The game was close much of the first half, with St. Greg's (6-5, 1-2) owning as much as a five-point lead, 24-19. That's when Redmond drilled twin 3-point bombs followed by another trey and a jumper that kick-started a 14-1 Wayland run.
Marshall Nelson finished off the game-changing spurt with another 3.
"I thought Mo Redman did a good job of coming ready to play today. He made some plays and had one of his better games," Harrelson said.
Wayland never trailed again, although the Cavaliers did cut it to two before another Pioneer burst made it a 49-39 game at halftime.
The closest the Cavaliers came after intermission was nine, and Wayland grew its lead to as many as 26 points, 87-61.
Aniete Jack put in 16 points – all but two in the first half – while
Jordan Tolbert had 13 and Nelson 10.
"To get five guys in double figures and one of those (Nelson) off the bench…we're always happy with that," Harrelson said. "AJ Jack was really good with 16 points in 16 minutes. He did a good job of attacking the rim and taking his time. The freshman, Tolbert, also was very good: seven assists and only two turnovers.
"We got really good production from our underclassmen – 45 points or so from our freshmen and sophomores."
Wayland hit 11-of-23 (48 percent) from 3-point range and 38-of-71 (54 percent) overall. The Pioneers also knocked down 18-of-23 (78 percent) of their free throws, led by Waters' 6-of-6 effort and Tolbert's 5-of-5 showing.
"The games we've lost this season we just haven't shot our free throws well, but we're fully capable of making them," Harrelson said.
SGU got 22 points from Stephen Walter, 16 from Richard Shields, 12 from Zachary Lemusu and 10 from Michael Hawkins.
The win sets up a showdown between the defending conference tournament champion Pioneers and defending regular-season SAC champion Mid-America Christian at 3 p.m. Saturday in Oklahoma City. The Evangels (11-3, 1-1), who were ranked No. 10 in the preseason and now are the equivalent of 32nd, rolled over John Brown at home on Thursday, 93-75, after dropping their league-opener at Texas Wesleyan, 111-101.
"To go to their place will be a really good test for us," Harrelson said. "They have a new coach, Josh Gramblin, who does a good job.
"They have a similar style as us. They play very fast and they're athletic. I watched them at West Texas A&M (losing to the Buffaloes, 81-76) and they have a really good basketball team."
The contest has been designated the NAIA's Game of the Week.
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