OKLAHOMA CITY – Eight Pioneers scored at least nine points as Wayland Baptist claimed its season-high fourth-straight win, overwhelming Mid-America Christian in Sooner Athletic Conference play Thursday night at Gaulke Activity Center, 103-77.
The victory allowed Wayland (14-6, 9-5 SAC), ranked the equivalent of 39
th in the NAIA, to move to within a half-game of the University of North Texas at Dallas (12-6, 10-5), which fell to Texas Wesleyan on Thursday, 100-69.
The 103 points matched a season-high for the Pioneers, who also hit that number in a 103-48 thrashing of Randall University on Nov. 21.
The Pioneers, who defeated MACU (8-13, 5-10) on Dec. 3 in Plainview, 78-68, were led in scoring by
Dylan McDougal and
Josh Servantez, who finished with 18 and 17 points, respectively. McDougal nailed 3-of-6 3-pointers and Servantez 4-of-8 off the bench as Wayland ended 13-of-30 from long range.
Other Pioneers in double figures were
D'Michael Bellfield with 12,
Jaxon Recer with 11 and
Parrish Hewitt and
RJ Mason with 10 each.
Reece Spencer, who nailed 7-of-8 free throws, and
Manny Crump added nine points apiece.
MACU got 17 points, on 8-of-10 field shooting, from Seth Hurd.
After reaching three-game win streaks on two other occasions this season, Wayland posted its fourth consecutive victory for the first time.
The Pioneers turned the ball over just five times, matching its season-best effort in the season-opener against University of the Southwest (N.M.).
After securing a regular-season sweep of MACU, the Pioneers will look to do the same Saturday afternoon at Southwestern Christian (9-9, 7-8), which defeated Oklahoma-Panhandle State on Thursday, 87-79. Wayland downed the Eagles when they teams squared off in Plainview earlier this season, 85-71.
