PLAINVIEW --- Wayland Baptist men's basketball turned a physical, hard-fought conference battle into a statement home victory Saturday afternoon, defeating
RV Oklahoma City 72–65 at the Hutcherson Center.
The Pioneers (13–4 overall, 7–4 SAC) built momentum early, controlled the glass, and sealed the win at the free-throw line in the closing minutes to earn the seven-point triumph over the Stars.
Wayland Baptist set the tone in the opening half, holding Oklahoma City to just 21 points while taking a 28–21 lead into halftime. The Pioneers' defensive pressure and work on the boards limited second-chance opportunities and forced the Stars into difficult perimeter looks.
Junior
Rico Yarbrough delivered one of his most efficient performances of the season, leading all scorers with 24 points on 7-of-10 shooting while knocking down 10 free throws. Yarbrough also pulled down nine rebounds, anchoring the Pioneers on both ends of the floor.
Jamari Lawrence added 17 points, six rebounds, and a team-high six steals, igniting transition opportunities and providing key buckets during Oklahoma City's second-half push. His energy on defense helped Wayland Baptist force 16 turnovers and convert them into timely points.
The Stars made a run early in the second half, trimming the deficit and briefly threatening the Pioneers' lead, but Wayland Baptist responded with poise.
Chuks Ejiofor chipped in 11 points, while
Brett Leach and
Dylan McDougal supplied timely contributions as the Pioneers extended their advantage to as many as 16 points with under eight minutes remaining.
Wayland Baptist's ability to attack the paint and draw fouls proved decisive. The Pioneers went 28-of-35 from the free-throw line, including a strong 23-for-26 effort in the second half, preventing any late comeback attempt.
Defensively, Wayland Baptist held Oklahoma City to 34.3 percent shooting from the field and just 15.6 percent from three-point range, showcasing discipline and toughness throughout the contest.
With the win, the Pioneers continue to build momentum in conference play as they prepare for their next matchup against Oklahoma Panhandle State on Monday, January 17
th. The game is scheduled to begin at approximately 8:00 PM at the Hutcherson Center.
