Box Score
HAWKINS – J.J Culver poured in 32 points and Wayland Baptist rallied from a 17-point deficit to defeat Jarvis Christian here Monday night, 97-82.
The Pioneers (3-0) fell behind by as many as 17 points midway through the first half as Jarvis hit 8-of-14 3-pointers in the first 20 minutes.
"They came out and shot the ball really well. They hit several contested jump shots," WBU coach
Ty Harrelson said of the Bulldogs (1-1). "It was a really great atmosphere. It was their first home game of the season and the gym was packed."
Wayland began fighting its way back in the contest and trailed by just six, 46-40, at halftime.
"We missed eight free throws in the first half or it would have been closer," said Harrelson, who said the Pioneers "stayed with the process" despite the early hole and "tried to make their shots contested and tough."
As a result, the Bulldogs – members of the NAIA's Red River Athletic Conference – began cooling off a bit, and the Pioneers kept clawing, especially Culver. The sophomore guard's 32 points – four off the career-high 36 he scored in a 113-107 double-overtime win over USAO in the 2016-17 regular-season finale in Hutcherson Center – came on 8-of-17 shooting from the field and a 13-of-16 free-throw performance.
"J.J really pushed the tempo and just made play after play. He made tough shots around the basket," said. Harrelson, who pointed out that Culver's mom graduated from Jarvis Christian. "Jarvis was pressing and speeding up the game, and J.J. was able to get himself to the line where he shot well."
Junior newcomer Rokas Mazionis ended with 10 points, 15 rebounds and three assists.
"J.J. and Rokas really dominated, and we got solid contributions for everybody else," Harrelson said.
Including junior Josh Throns, who despite being in foul trouble much of the game was there when his team needed him, scoring 12 points, all in the second half. He drained a pair of 3-pointers that allowed Wayland to start to pull away in the game's last six minutes.
"Josh came through in crunch time. That was really important that he stayed ready," his coach said.
Ruben Lopez finished with 11 points, newcomer Trevonta Robertson 10 points and six rebounds, Tyrone Davis nine points, and senior transfer Marko Zelic seven points and six boards.
"Trevonta came off the bench and really inspired us to start battling," Harrelson said.
Wayland's next scheduled game will be its Nov. 13 home-opener against Our Lady of the Lake, ranked the equivalent of 30
th in the NAIA. Tip-off is at 8 p.m., after the Flying Queens' host OLLU at 6.
