Pioneers impressive in opener, overwhelm Southwest, 102-65

Forcing your opponent to call timeout just 88 seconds into the season-opener can be a pretty positive sign, and it was for Wayland Baptist on Friday night.

The 18^th-ranked Pioneers overwhelmed University of the Southwest (N.M) from the opening tip and went on to post a 102-65 victory over the Mustangs in Hutcherson Center.

"Couldn't ask for a better way to start the season," WBU coach Clint Galyean said. "We have a lot of respect for USW. They are a talented team and Coach (James) Voight has changed the program over there."

The Mustangs went into the game with a win already under their belt, 116-78 over California Miramar. But Southwest was no match for the Pioneers, who surged to a 23-1 lead over the first 5½ minutes. Had WBU kept up that pace throughout the game, the Pioneers would have wound up somewhere in the neighborhood of 175 points.

"I was really pleased with the effort and energy defensively. Our defense sets the tone for us and that proved to be true tonight," Galyean said. "We also had 22 assists to five turnovers. If we take care of the ball and share it the way we did tonight, we have a chance to be really good offensively as well."

WBU led 59-27 at the half then cruised in the second half, outscoring the visitors from Hobbs, 43-38. All 13 Pioneers saw playing time and 10 scored.

What's more, Galyean has numerous reinforcements in reserve due to eligibility and health issues.

Dylan McDougal led Wayland in scoring, coming off the bench to net 20 points. Another returner, RJ Mason, added 16 points, hitting four 3-pointers to lead six Pioneers who combined to nail 14-of-30 from long range. McDougal and BJ Simmons, who added 11 points, logged three bombs each.

Parrish Hewitt, the senior who played only six games last season before red-shirting, was supremely impressive with 15 points, 11 rebounds and six assists. Hewitt, who did not commit a turnover, was one rebound short of a double-double at halftime.

Southwest got 19 points from Jahvonta Jones and 10 from Johnny Tendale.

Wayland's largest lead was 39 points, 70-33, less than four minutes into the second half and against at 90-51 with 7:23 to play.

Even with the Pioneer football team out of town, the game drew some 300 enthusiastic spectators.

"Our fans were awesome tonight," Galyean said. "We need everyone back Friday (4 p.m.) and Saturday (6 p.m.) as we have two tough games with Huston-Tillotson and OLLU."