PUEBLO, Colo. –
Trevonta Robertson hit a 3-pointer with 1.8 seconds to break a tie then made an ensuing free throw to lift 20
th-ranked Wayland Baptist to an 84-80 win over the Adams State Grizzles in the first game of the Al Kaly Shrine Classic here Friday.
"We knew it would be a close game. Trevonta made the final three plays of the game and the last one was a huge," WBU coach
Ty Harrelson said.
Playing their first road game of the season, the unbeaten Pioneers (5-0) amassed a 20-point lead in the first half before the NCAA Division II Grizzles (0-3) rallied. Adams State went ahead for the first time with just over three minutes left in the contest then went up 79-78 with 1:13 to go.
Robertson hit a jumper from above the free-throw line to put Wayland ahead by one with 40 seconds left, then Adams State's Rickey Norris made 1-of-2 foul shots to tie it with 22 seconds showing.
Robertson dribbled out most of the clock before playing off a screen on the right wing. The senior from New Orleans not only made the clutch 3-pointer with under two ticks to play but got fouled and hit the free throw to clinch the win.
One game after scoring a career-high 26 in a 92-73 win over University of the Southwest, Robertson ended with 24 points on 8-of-14 shooting from the field, including 3-of-5 3-pointers, and 5-of-5 foul shots.
J.J. Culver was right behind him with 22 points, one more than
Josh Throns' 21. Culver finished 7-of-12 (3-of-6 3s) from the field and 5-of-5 free throws while Throns was 8-of-11 from the floor (5-of-8 3s).
"We had well-rounded perimeter play from Trevonta, J.J., and Josh again tonight," Harrelson said.
The Pioneers hit 48 percent (12-of-25) from long range and missed just two of 16 free throws (88 percent). Their hot hands helped WBU overcome 16 turnovers, nine more than Adams State which also outrebounded Wayland, 34-31. Half of the Grizzlies' boards were on the offensive end.
Shemar Johnson's 23 points led Adams State. Three others scored 13 each for the Grizzlies, who were coming off an 82-79 exhibition win over Northern New Mexico. Adams State's two previous losses were at home to No. 4 West Texas A&M, 112-87, and Texas-Permian Basin, 101-98. ASU also defeated Colorado College in an exhibition, 87-77.
Wayland went on a 19-4 run to open a 20-point first-half lead. The Pioneers were up 20-15 with 11½ minutes left until intermission when their big run over the next 6-plus minutes made it 39-19.
"J.J. got us off to a great start on assists from Chris (Doerue). Josh made timely plays throughout, and Trevonta brought us home."
WBU was up at the half, 42-28.
"Defensively, we started really well. A few of our bigs picked up quick fouls and, luckily, we are deeper this year inside," Harrelson said.
The Pioneers appeared to have the game in hand leading by 13, 70-57, with 8:23 to play. But over the next three minutes the Grizzlies scored 11 unanswered points to pull to within 70-68 and make it a game.
"Something changed at halftime of our game with the way it was called. We only had two free throws in the second half after getting to the line multiple times in the first half. Trevonta kept putting pressure on them and was big down the stretch."
It was the first contest between the schools since 2005. Wayland holds a 4-1 lead in the series.
"It's great to beat another tough (Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) opponent on the road," said Harrelson, whose team two years ago defeated Colorado-Mesa, Western State-Colorado and Colorado School of Mines.
The Pioneers next play at 8 p.m. CST Saturday against Classic host Colorado State-Pueblo, which faced Midwestern State later Friday.
"We look forward to the challenge against CSU-Pueblo," Harrelson said.
