Pioneers hold Dallas Christian to 37 in exhibition

Jordan Brannon scored 15 points and Javorian Miller and Josh Servantez had nine each as Wayland Baptist displayed excellent defense in defeating Dallas Christian in a men's basketball exhibition game Tuesday night in Hutcherson Center, 64-37.
 
WBU coach Clint Galyean felt the Pioneers (1-1) made tremendous growth from their opening games.
 
"We showed a lot of growth from a week-and-a-half ago, defensively for sure," Galyean said.
 
The 37 points by the Crusaders marked the best defensive effort by the Pioneers since Wayland held West Coast Baptist to under two dozen in an 85-22 romp in California in 2011. West Coast Baptist hit just 2-of-30 3-pointers in that game, and Dallas Christian wasn't much better Tuesday in going 2-for-23 (8.7 percent).
 
The Pioneers, meanwhile, drilled 11-of-27 3s (41 percent), including Brannon's 5-of-10 effort. Servantez hit 3-of-4 from deep.
 
Wayland's tough defense also aided in Dallas Christian turning the ball over 26 times. Wayland gave it away 17 times.
 
"We still had too many turnovers," Galyean said.
 
The Pioneers led 40-19 at halftime.
 
Jaxon Recer pulled down a team-high seven rebounds plus led WBU with five of its 18 assists and three of 14 steals.
 
"Dallas Christian is a tough team to play," Galyean said.
 
Wayland plays its first countable home game at 7 p.m. Tuesday against University of the Southwest (1-1).
 
"We just need to keep improving," Galyean said.