Culver's 32 propel Pioneers past Langston

J.J. Culver scored 32 points and Jack Nobles 19 as Wayland Baptist overcame Langston University in Sooner Athletic Conference play Saturday afternoon in Hutcherson Center, 80-75.

The Pioneers (16-9, 9-7 SAC) trailed by five midway through the second half when Culver and Nobles combined to score 13 straight points to put Wayland up by nine. Langston (13-13, 5-11) came back, however, pulling to within two, 74-72, with a minute remaining.

Culver came through with a bucket then, after the Lions missed a 3-pointer, Payton Havens scored two of his three points with a pair of clutch free throws with 14 seconds left. Langston's John Godwin nailed a 3-pointer with five ticks left before Culver iced it with two free throws.

Wayland, which edged Central Christian (Kan.) on Thursday, 72-67, won it at the charity stripe, hitting 21-of-23 (91 percent) compared to 12-of-18 for Langston. Culver was perfect on his 10 attempts. The senior also recorded game-highs with eight rebounds, five assists and three steals with only one turnover in 39 minutes. It was his second 30-plus point game in three outings. He ranks third in the NAIA in both points per game (24.1) and steals per game (2.8).

Nobles was 7-of-10 from the field, where Wayland was 27-of-51 (53 percent), and grabbed seven boards. Tre Fillmore, who had 11 points, hit three of the Pioneers' five 3-pointers. Wayland made just 1-of-9 from long range in the first half but 4-of-6 in the second.

"J.J. and Jack stepped up when we really needed them to this week," Wayland coach Ty Harrelson said.

Five of Langston's eight players scored in double figures, led by Godwin with 22.

The Pioneers, who beat Langston on the road in mid-January, 87-62, held a 32-24 edge on the boards.

Wayland now prepares for a three-game road trip next week, first taking on Oklahoma-Panhandle State – a team the Pioneers downed at home, 94-59 – on Tuesday before meeting Bacone and No. 9 John Brown. The Pioneers wind up the regular-season back home against Oklahoma City and Southwestern Christian Feb. 27 and 29.