Pioneers spoil Lobos' Santa visit in overtime

Box Score  Thanks in large part to a big shot from Pioneer Ruben Lopez at the end of regulation, the 21st-ranked Wayland Baptist Pioneers edged Sul Ross State on Saturday in Hutcherson Center, 102-99 in overtime.

"I hope I still get something for Christmas," Pioneer assistant coach Landon Hughey chuckled after the thrilling victory in front of 700 fans.

Hughey's comment came as a result of Sul Ross State coach Clif Carroll dressing as Santa Claus for the game for which fans and coaches were invited to wear Christmas sweaters.

With Pioneers head Coach Ty Harrelson sitting this one out after his ejection from last Saturday's game against Oklahoma City, Hughey was promoted to the lead chair for one game.

Although the Pioneers (9-3) stole a gift from the Lobos (4-5), it did not come easy.  

Both team's offenses came firing from all angles until WBU went on until right inside of nine minutes left when the Pioneers went on a 9-0 run to open a 38-25 lead.

Often, Wayland takes that opportunity to build larger advantages and cruise to victory, but that wasn't the case.

"A little bit of that is us not finishing plays," Harrelson said. "We got excited and then we rushed a couple of offensive sets."

The Pioneers held a narrow 43-37 edge going into the half.

After intermission, Wayland once again caught fire behind senior Marshall Nelson. Nelson finished with  game-high and career-high 43 points, 22 coming from the free throw line.

"(Marshall) was great," Hughey said. "It was hard for Sul Ross's players to keep their hands off of him. He had a great night."

WBU built another 13-point margin but again lost it with a 13-0 Lobo run to tie the game.

Wayland suffered a crucial blow with under six minutes left when NAIA-leading shot-blocker Louis Timms picked up his fifth and final foul.

"(Timms) was in foul trouble most of the game," Harrelson said. "We lost the rebounds by 10."

With Timms out, Lobos big man Caleb Thomasson had a field day, reaching a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds. 

SRSU took the lead with five seconds left and off of an inbound catch and dribble through two defenders, WBU's Lopez banked in a leaning 3-pointer from some five feet above the key to send the game to overtime.

Those were Lopez's only points of the game.

"It was huge," Harrelson said. 

"That's what you get with a veteran player," Hughey added.

In overtime, it became a game of free throws and mistakes.

The Pioneers made two crucial plays: Lopez dished to Josh Throns for three to give WBU a two-point lead and then a charge drawn by Lopez with under 20 seconds left that sealed the win.

While losing the rebounding edge, the Pioneers made a living at the free-throw line, hitting 35-of-45 while the Lobos went 16-of-24.

Besides Nelson's 43, which are seven off the school record, also in double figures for the Pioneers were Maurice Redmond with 21 points and eight rebounds and J.J. Culver with 11. Timms finished with a near double-double with nine points and eight boards.

Next for the Pioneers will be a Dec. 19 rematch against Our Lady of the Lake in San Antonio. Earlier this season Wayland got the best of the Saints (4-2) in a 81-72 victory at home.?