HOBBS, N.M. –
J.J. Culver reached the 30-point plateau for the third time in as many games, and third-ranked Wayland Baptist used a strong finish to post a 64-56 victory over University of the Southwest here Tuesday night.
After two home wins to open the season, it was the first road test of the season for the Pioneers (3-0).
USW (2-3), playing its fourth straight Sooner Athletic Conference opponent, led most of the first half, by as many as five, before taking a 26-25 advantage into halftime. Wayland shot just 29 percent (9-of-31) from the field in the first 20 minutes.
It was tied at 43 when a bucket by Culver after a steal by
Payton Havens, who ended with three thefts and seven assists, gave Wayland the lead for good. The Pioneers built as much as a 12-point lead, 61-49 after a 3-pointer by
CJ Obinwa with 2½ minutes to play.
The Mustangs hit a 3 with six seconds to go, but Culver hit two free throws to seal the deal.
Culver, who scored 34 and a career-high 41 points in Wayland's first two games to be named Sooner Athletic Conference Player of the Week, was 8-of-18 from the field and 14-of-19 from the free-throw line. He made all but one of Wayland's foul shots (15-of-25, 60 percent).
Tre Fillmore made all but one of the Pioneers' five 3-pointers and finished with 14 points, as did Obinwa. Culver, Fillmore and Obinwa combined to take 46 of Wayland's 57 field goal attempts.
Southwest, which got 18 points and 15 rebounds from Emmanuel McNeil, held a 50-37 rebounding edge.
Wayland, just starting a six-game road swing, next plays an exhibition against Rice University at 4 p.m. Sunday in Houston before heading to Iowa for a tournament Nov. 15 and 16.
The Mustangs were coming off an 82-67 road win over Oklahoma-Panhandle State on Sunday, the Aggies' third game in as many days. USW previously lost to Texas Wesleyan in Fort Worth (73-62) and Oklahoma City at a tournament in Espanola, N.M., (70-68).
