PLAINVIEW --- The Wayland Baptist Pioneers earned a hard-fought 82–78 victory on Senior Day over the Mid-America Christian Evangels on Saturday afternoon inside the Hutcherson Center.
Wayland came out with energy on both ends, building early momentum behind balanced scoring and strong defensive rebounding. The Pioneers capitalized on efficient ball movement and timely shooting to take a 36–27 lead into halftime, holding MACU to just 32 percent shooting in the opening period.
The Evangels responded in the second half, shooting over 60 percent from the field and trimming the deficit with a series of runs.
Senior guard
Marcus Green led the charge for the Pioneers with 21 points on an efficient 6-of-9 shooting, while also adding seven rebounds.
Jamari Lawrence followed with 17 points, including seven made free throws in the second half, helping Wayland withstand MACU's pressure.
Julian Perez provided a major spark off the bench, pouring in 17 points and dishing out seven assists, giving the Pioneers steady leadership in key moments.
Dylan McDougal added nine points on a perfect 3-for-3 shooting performance, while
Jordan Logan chipped in seven points and five rebounds.
Inside,
Chuks Ejiofor anchored the paint with nine rebounds and two blocks, helping Wayland control the glass with a 36–23 rebounding advantage.
With the score tied late, Wayland relied on disciplined execution and clutch free-throw shooting. The Pioneers went 26-of-32 from the line, including several key makes in the final minute, to seal the four-point victory.
The win showcased Wayland's depth and resilience, as 23 bench points and steady defensive pressure proved decisive in one of the team's toughest home tests of the season.
With the win, the Pioneers capped off the 2025-2026 season with a 22-6 overall record and 16-6 in Sooner Athletic Conference play. The Pioneers locked up the 3-seed in the upcoming 2026 SAC Men's Basketball Championships where they will take on 6-seed Mid-America Christian on Wednesday, February 25
th, at 7:30 PM in Oklahoma City.
