Oklahoma City – The Wayland Baptist Pioneers defeated the 19
th ranked Oklahoma City University Stars in thrilling fashion Saturday to remain in first place in the Sooner Athletic Conference. In a game that consisted of 10 lead changes and the score being tied 7 times, the Pioneers prevailed 79-77.
In the first half, Wayland led by as many as 16 points, 34-18, with 5:00 left. But the Stars went on an 8-0 run to end the half and the Pioneers took a 39-31 lead into halftime.
With 10:27 remaining in the game, the Stars took their first lead, 56-54, since 15:33 in the first half. The last 10 minutes was back and forth with 5 ties and 8 lead changes.
The final 25 seconds provided plenty of drama and action. A
Niko Noumeros lay-up, on an assist by
Julian Perez, gave the Pioneers a 76-74 lead with 23 seconds left to play. OCU was fouled on a made lay-up and converted the free throw to take a 77-76 lead with 11 seconds left.
Quenton Coleman brought the ball up the court and calmly sank 3 point field goal, his fifth of the game, with only 2 seconds left to give the Pioneers a 79-77 lead. A half court shot by the Stars was no good and Wayland earned their 6
th SAC win.
Quenton Coleman led all scorers with 31 points, making 5 of 7 three pointers and going 4 for 4 from the free throw line. Coleman also had 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal.
Dylan McDougal was the only other Pioneer in double figures with 10 points along with 4 rebounds.
Julian Perez and
Brett Leach scored 9 points each. Perez also had 4 rebounds and a team high 5 assists. Leach pitched in with 4 rebounds and 2 assists.
Three Pioneers,
Niko Noumeros,
Adeola Seun and
James Lee scored 6 points. Noumeros had a team high 9 rebounds and Lee had 4 rebounds and 2 assists.
Joshua Tucker added 2 points to the winning cause.
The Pioneers continue their road trip Thursday when they travel to Fort Worth to take on the Texas Wesleyan Rams at 8:00pm.
