Box Score NEW ORLEANS – Less than 24 hours after opening their season with an impressive road win over a ranked opponent, the Wayland Baptist men's basketball team almost did it again Saturday. The Pioneers came up just short of 12
th-ranked Dillard University (La.), 85-82.
"It was a great basketball game," Wayland coach
Ty Harrelson said. "Both teams played really well. It was back-and-forth, back-and-forth. Dillard made some free throws at the end of the game to secure the win."
The game was tied at 82 after Wayland rallied from an 8-point deficit on a bucket by
Louis Timms and two 3-pointers by
Ruben Lopez, the last with under a minute to play.
"Ruben was really clutch. It's the type of kid he is," Harrelson said.
After Dillard (2-0) made one of two free throws following a tough foul call on Wayland's
Russell Harrison during a loose-ball scramble, the Pioneers missed a couple of field goals but still had possession of the ball when Dillard called timeout with 11 seconds left.
Wayland turned the ball over right after that, and Dillard's Demetric Austin hit two foul shots with seven seconds left to put his team up by three. After each team called a timeout, the Pioneers threw the ball away without getting off a would-be game-tying shot.
"Dillard did a really good job and didn't let us (throw the ball in)," Harrelson said. "Their all-American stole the ball.
"I felt like we had two or three opportunities to win the game and didn't execute. That's part of why I wanted to make this trip. We lost some like that in conference last year, so I wanted the guys to experience similar situations so when they come up again they'll be ready."
Senior
Maurice Redmond ended with a career-high 30 points – including 24 in the first half – to lead Wayland (1-1), going 9-of-15 from the field, including 4-of-8 3-pointers, and 8-of-8 from the foul line.
"Mo was fantastic. He kept us in the game and really stepped up his performance," Harrelson said. "He showed what kind of player he can be on a national level. He made big plays for us throughout the game."
Harrison came off the bench to score 17 and
Louis Timms recorded a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds, plus got seven blocks.
Joshua Throns picked up five assists.
"Russell played two really good games for us this weekend, and Louis just kind of does what he does. He's a force," Harrelson said. "He did a great job in the second half on their all-American and gave us an opportunity to win the game."
The Pioneers shot 44 percent from the field, 41 percent (14-of-34) from 3-point range, and 92 percent (12-of-13) free throws.
Leading Dillard with 24 points apiece were Austin and Montrey Thomas. Two others scored 12 each.
Wayland was hurt by 25 turnovers, compared to just 11 for Dillard. Wayland held a 45-43 rebounding edge.
The Pioneers, who debut with an 83-68 win over No. 25 Xavier (La.) on Friday, make their home debut Thursday in a doubleheader with the Flying Queens against Northern New Mexico starting at 6 p.m. in Hutcherson Center.
"Hopefully we get a huge crowd for our first home game," Harrelson said. "I think we play a really exciting brand of basketball. We have some players with experience that a lot of people know about who are fun to watch, and we added some young guys who are excited to watch as well.
"Hopefully our fans will come out and support us."
