Defense leads to win over #5 OCU

Box Score Six weeks after giving up a season-worst 107 points to Oklahoma City University, the Wayland Baptist Pioneers were determined to play better defense in the rematch Monday night in Hutcherson Center.
 
They did, and then some.
 
Wayland came up with its best defensive performance of the season as the Pioneers knocked off No. 5 Oklahoma City in Sooner Athletic Conference play, 74-64.
 
"Tonight is a great win for Wayland," Pioneers coach Ty Harrelson said.
 
Maurice Redmond and Russell Harrison scored 14 points each and Ruben Lopez added 12 to pace Wayland (12-6, 4-3 SAC) in what was its second-lowest offensive output of the season, yet the Pioneers still won by 10.
 
The win avenged a 107-99 setback to OCU in on Dec. 3 in Oklahoma City and left the Pioneers in a three-way tie for second place in the SAC standings, pending outcomes from Monday's late games.
 
Wayland led 37-31 at halftime and went up by 12, 45-33, early in the second half. The Stars weren't going down that easily, however, and managed to pull to within five, 57-52, with 5 1/2 minutes left.
 
Wayland answered right away with a 3-pointer by Lopez, followed by another by Redmond. Lopez and Redmond also hit a pair of free throws apiece in the closing minutes, and Harrison chipped in an and-one as the Pioneers fought off OCU's final charge.
 
The Stars were led by 6-foot-9 senior Tyler Alderman's 21 points and 11 rebounds. Lou Dunbar put in 14 points while Xavier Smith added 13 and nine rebounds.
 
"I'm proud of our defensive effort," Harrelson said. "Cody Thomas, Austin Mansour and Tyler Viskovich all did a great job defending Xavier Smith (he was 4-of-18 from the field and his 13 points were less than half of his total in last month's game). Our guards kept pressure on them all night.
 
"We need to make free throws (19-of-30) and reduce turnovers (17). If we made a few breakaways and free throws it's a 20-point game."
 
Wayland outrebounded the taller Stars, 45-40, with Thomas and freshman guard J.J. Culver leading the way in that department with nine and eight, respectively.
 
The Pioneers shot 39 percent from the field (23-of-59), including 30 percent (9-of-30) from long range.
 
OCU shot 35 percent overall (21-of-60), 26 percent from beyond the arc (5-of-19), and 65 percent (17-of-26) from the foul stripe.
 
The game was the first of three home games this week for Wayland. Up next is No. 16 Texas Wesleyan at 8 p.m. Thursday. The Rams (15-2, 5-1) have won eight straight since their lone SAC setback, a 91-90 road loss to No. 10 Mid-America Christian on Dec. 1 in their conference opener.
 
The Pioneers wrap up the week by entertaining Southwestern Assemblies of God University at 3 p.m. Saturday, closing the book on a four-game stretch that will see Wayland take on teams either ranked or receiving Top 25 votes.
 
"We will continue to get better as we progress through conference," Harrelson said.