Pioneers named NABC Team of Week

On the strength of two Sooner Athletic Conference-opening road wins, the Wayland Baptist Pioneers have been named National Association of Basketball Coaches NAIA Team of the Week.

The third-ranked Pioneers were selected for the honor after completing a six-game road swing over the past 2½ weeks with a pair of victories to open defense of their first-ever Sooner Athletic Conference title. They defeated a one-loss Southwestern Christian team, 77-65, in Bethany, Okla., then two days later defeated perennial power Oklahoma City University, which is receiving Top 25 votes, 68-54.

Against OCU, the Pioneers went on a late 14-0 run, holding their opponent scoreless for close to five minutes, to secure their fifth-straight win over the Stars.

"It is an honor to be named Team of the Week by NABC. Our players finished a tough six-game road swing by winning our first two conference games at Southwestern Christian and Oklahoma City and we are glad to be recognized for the success on the court. It is nice to receive a team award in a day and age when individual achievements seem to be more recognized than team success," Wayland coach Ty Harrelson said.

"Thank you to NABC and everyone who voted for us for this week's award."

This is the third season in a row Wayland has been named NABC Team of the Week. The Pioneers were honored in January last season following road wins over SW Christian and OCU.

Also selected NABC Team of the Week in their respective divisions for week two of the 2019-20 season were Baylor University (NCAA Division I), Texas A&M-Commerce (NCAA D-II), Wabash College (NCAA D-III) and Sullivan County (N.Y.) Community College (NJCAA/Two-Year Colleges).

Wayland's two wins last week improved the Pioneers' record to 6-1 in advance of their non-conference game at 6 p.m. today at home against University of the Southwest (N.M.), a team that WBU downed earlier this month in Hobbs, N.M., 64-56.

Several Pioneers are ranked among NAIA statistical leaders, including senior J.J. Culver who is No. 1 in scoring (29.7 ppg) and No. 6 in steals per game (3.0). As a team, Wayland ranks 10^th in scoring defense (63 ppg), 13^th in turnover margin (4.8), 17^th in rebound margin (9.0) and 20^th in scoring margin (17 ppg).