Oklahoma City – Wayland Baptist and Mid-America Christian met in a big Sooner Athletic Conference game Saturday afternoon and the Evangels came away with a 71-67 victory. The first half was a back and forth affair as Wayland Baptist led by as many as five points and the largest lead for MACU was six points. As the buzzer sounded to end the first half, the Evangels led 31-26. The Pioneer's defense held MACU to only seven field goals on twenty seven attempts (25.9%) the home team made twelve of thirteen (92.3%) free throws. WBU shot 40% from the field, making ten of twenty-five shots, but they were only able to convert three out of twelve (25%) from the free throw line.
Mid-America Christian was in control early in the second half and they led by as many as twelve points twice, the latest at the 9:42 mark, when they led 54-42. The latter part of the second half featured a comeback by Wayland Baptist. The Pioneers chipped away at the MACU lead and eventually trimmed the lead to three points, 59-56, with 3:01 remaining in the game. The Evangels made enough free throws down the stretch to come away with the four point win.
The most stark difference in the game was at the free throw line where MACU made thirty of thirty six free throws (83.3%) while WBU made thirteen of twenty four (54.2).
Three Pioneers scored in double figures in the game led by
Dylan McDougal with 16,
Quenton Coleman with 15 and
James Lee with 13.
James Lee led the team with 9 rebounds and also had 3 assists and 2 steals. Coleman also had team high 4 assists and 2 steals.
Alex Rojas scored 8 points and had 3 rebounds in his second game for the Pioneers.
Adeola Seun scored 7 points and grabbed 4 rebounds.
Brett Leach added 3 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists.
Wayland Baptist will be on the road again Thursday as they travel to Langston for another big SAC match-up. The tip-off is at 8:00 PM.
