Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – Five Pioneers score in double figures as 10
th ranked Wayland Baptist (6-2, 2-1 SAC) pull away late for a lopsided win on the road at Oklahoma City University (2-7, 0-4 SAC).
The Pioneers traded shots with the Stars for the first 6 minutes of the game, but then went on a 9-0 run to give them an early 21-10 lead. The stars were able to cut the deficit to 5 with 4:41 remaining in the half, but the Pioneers responded by going on an 11-0 run and took a 38-27 lead into the break.
The Pioneers held a moderate lead the majority of the 2
nd half until the Stars cut the lead down to 60-54 with 7:58 remaining in the game. From that moment on, the Pioneers dominated, finishing the game on a 22-5 run to make the final score 82-59 and securing the victory in their first Sooner Athletic Conference road game of the season.
Linton Brown led the team in scoring with 20 points,
D'Michael Bellfield added 17,
Tahjae Hill and
Brett Leach each contributed 13, and
Meikkel Murray finished with 12. The Pioneers also dominated the glass tonight, winning the rebound battle 48-38 led by Bellfield's 9 rebounds including 7 on the offensive end. Hill finished with 8 rebounds, Murray finished with 7 boards, and Brown and Leach each finished with 6 respectively. The pioneers also only committed 6 turnovers the entire game, but capitalized on the Stars' mistakes for 17 points off turnovers.
Head Coach
Clint Galyean when talking about facing a conference opponent on the road said, "It's always tough to win on the road, so I'm proud of our guy's toughness to finish it out tonight. We have to clean up a lot of things and put out more consistency on every possession."
The Pioneers head to Siloam Springs next, where they are set for a Saturday showdown with John Brown. Tip is scheduled for 4 p.m.
