Plainview, TX – Wayland Baptist and Nelson University met in a huge Sooner Athletic Conference showdown Saturday. The Pioneers roared back from a 7 point deficit with 1:40 left to play to earn a 73-72 win.
Nelson took a 3-0 lead at the 18:50 mark on a three pointer by JJ Bowling. Wayland took their first lead of the game, 6-5, on a layup by
Kabine Kaba with 17:08 remaining in the first half. The Pioneers never relinquished the lead for the remainder of the half, leading by as much as 13 points when
Quenton Coleman hit a 3 pointer with 11:26 left to put WBU up 23-10. The Lions outscored the Pioneers 17-11 for the rest of the half and WBU held a 34-27 lead after the first 20 minutes of play.
Nelson chipped away at Wayland's lead throughout the first ten minutes of the second half. The Lions took a 46-45 lead on another 3-pointer by JJ Bowling with 11:23 left in the game. The score was tied four times and there were six lead changes in the second half.
Nelson led 70-63 with only 1:40 left to play when senior
Quenton Coleman took over. Coleman hit a three pointer with 1:29 left to bring the Pioneers within 4. Nelson increased their lead to 72-66 on a layup by Alerick Hall with :38 remaining.
Quenton Coleman buried another three just eight seconds later to bring the Pioneers within 3 points.
With the score 72-69 and only 30 seconds remaining, Wayland was forced to foul to have a chance to win. At this point in the game, Nelson had made 14 of 14 free throws. Nelson missed two free throws with 27 seconds left.
Quenton Coleman was fouled with 17 seconds left and he sank both free throws to bring the Pioneers within one point at 72-71.
Wayland fouled again with 14 seconds left and once again Nelson missed both free throws.
Quenton Coleman made a layup with 4 seconds left to put the Pioneers up 73-72 and the last gasp shot by the Lions fell short to give WBU the hard fought victory.
The win gave the Pioneers a 3-1 record in SAC play, good for a 2
nd place tie.
Wayland will play host to Oklahoma Panhandle State Tuesday, November 26 at 8:00 pm.
