Box Score SILOAM SPRINGS, Ark. – After a three-game losing streak, the Pioneers thought they'd found their footing after rising above Bacone College on Thursday night. Unfortunately, John Brown University had different plans as Wayland Baptist fell to the Golden Eagles in Sooner Athletic Conference play here Saturday afternoon, 90-81.
The game was close throughout the first half. The lead constantly changed hands with WBU getting up by as much as eight, and JBU working up to a seven-point lead. Going into halftime, John Brown had the upper hand, 42-37.
WBU never regained the lead in the second half. The Pioneers got close several times, including within three, but just couldn't quite get all the way back. Wayland was within four, 78-74, with 2:27 to go, but the Golden Eagles scored the next five points over the next minute to effectively seal it.
Maurice Redmond and
Russell Harrison played well for the Pioneers, both contributing 16 points. Harrison, who fouled out with 1:30 left, also was a strong rebounder as he and
J.J. Culver both had 7 boards. Joshua Throns and
Marshall Nelson tacked on 11 points apiece, while Culver added nine.
The Golden Eagles attempted 42 free throws, hitting 32, while Wayland went 24-of-30 from the stripe.
The Pioneers shot 44 percent from the field (26-of-59), but just 26 percent (5-of-19) from 3-point range. JBU shot 57 percent (25-of-44) from the floor.
Wayland (14-10, 6-6 SAC) and John Brown (14-9, 6-6) now are tied for sixth place in the conference standings, a game behind four teams all knotted for second, proving just how tight competition in the SAC really is.
The game ended a four-game road swing for Wayland, which returns to Hutcherson Center at 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 9 to face Mid-America Christian University (14-10, 5-7). MACU, which lost to Science and Arts of Oklahoma at home on Saturday 88-78, dealt the Pioneers a heart-breaking loss on Jan. 12, 100-99 in overtime.
