LANGSTON, Okla. – Holding just a six-point halftime lead, Wayland Baptist erupted for 37 points in the third quarter and went on to defeat Langston University in Sooner Athletic Conference action here Saturday afternoon, 101-77.
"I'm proud of the win. Any win on the road is a good one," Wayland coach
Alesha Ellis said.
Wayland (9-0, 4-0 SAC) trailed Langston (6-6, 1-3) by two, 22-20, after the first quarter but managed to gain a 41-35 halftime edge.
"We started in a zone (defense), which we never do, and I think it set the wrong tone for us," Ellis said.
Wayland went to a man-defense in the second quarter and things began to fall into place. Then things really came together in the third quarter when the Flying Queens outscored the Lions, 37-20. The 37 points were just four shy of what they scored the first 20 minutes.
"I had to wake them up at halftime, and they came out on fire," Ellis said. "It's amazing how certain players step up when you make them mad."
Wayland – whose undefeated recorded will be severely tested next week during a swing through California against three ranked opponents – wound up breaking the century mark for the fifth time this season, about 10 points more than its 90.6 ppg average, which ranks third in the NAIA.
Maci Merket matched her season-high with 22 points as the senior all-American hit a season-high six 3-pointers (in nine attempts).
Kaylee Edgemon added 17 points and a team-best seven rebounds while
Morgan Bennett chipped in 16 points with five assists.
Cailyn Breckel added 13 points on 6-of-8 shooting from the field, and
Kambrey Blakey put in 10 points, giving Wayland at least five players in double-figures for the sixth time this season.
The Flying Queens shot 45 percent (38-of-85) from the floor and nailed 54 percent (14-of-26) of their 3-pointers with nine players making at least one bomb. They hit 11-of-14 foul shots (79 percent).
Langston was led by Jhordyn Patton with 25 points and Shantrice Price with 12 points and 13 rebounds. The Lions shot 50 percent (26-of-52) from the field, but just 1-of-8 from 3-point range. They were 24-of-32 from the free-throw line, including 11-of-16 for Price.
"We put her on the line way too much. We have to do a better job of not putting people on the line," Ellis said.
"Langston works really hard and made plays. Their post players were really good, which was good for us because we'll see some great post play next week in California.
Wayland is 9-0 for the second straight season. Last year, the Flying Queens won their first 10 straight for their best start to a season since 1999 when they won their first 11 contests.
The Flying Queens face their toughest stretch of the season next week during a trip to California where Wayland takes on three ranked opponents: No. 22 The Master's on Monday, No. 1 and unbeaten Vanguard (10-0) on Wednesday, and No. 11 Westmont on Friday.
"We're going to be up against some tough teams on their home courts," Ellis said. "It will be a good test."
At last season's national tournament, Wayland – after knocking off top-ranked Shawnee State (Ohio) in the second round, 79-69 – defeated No. 7 Vanguard, 68-44, before falling in the semifinals to No. 4 Westmont, 56-54. In that game, Westmont's Lauren McCoy hit a tough layup with 1.9 seconds left, then a desperation shot by Merket from near the top of the key missed at the buzzer.
Westmont went on to fall in the finals to Freed-Hardeman, Tenn., 76-64.
Ellis said Vanguard coach Russ Davis told her that in his 23 years at the school he's never seen a team come in and play all three of WBU's upcoming opponents.
"They all think I'm crazy," Ellis said.
