CHANDLER, Ariz. --- The season came to an end for the Wayland Baptist Pioneers on Saturday evening as they fell to 2-seed Arizona Christian, 91–82, in the Second Round of the 2026 NAIA Men's Basketball National Tournament at the Coyote Center.
Wayland Baptist finished the year with a 24-8 overall record, while Arizona Christian advanced with a 24-7 mark.
The Pioneers started the game with strong energy, building an early advantage and pushing their lead to 12 points midway through the first half. Wayland Baptist controlled the early pace with efficient scoring in the paint and strong defensive pressure, highlighted by baskets from
Jamari Lawrence,
Marcus Green, and
Rico Yarbrough.
Arizona Christian gradually shifted the momentum late in the first half, capitalizing on second-chance opportunities and free throws to close the half on a run. The Firestorm took a 43-30 lead into halftime, overcoming Wayland's early surge with strong rebounding and interior scoring.
Despite the deficit, the Pioneers responded in the second half with an offensive surge. Wayland Baptist shot 50 percent from the field and 52.9 percent from three-point range in the second half, knocking down nine triples over the final 20 minutes.
Wayland trimmed the deficit to one point at 57-56 midway through the second half after back-to-back three-pointers from
Jordan Logan and
Jamari Lawrence, igniting a comeback effort by the Pioneers.
Arizona Christian responded with a key run and continued to attack the glass, finishing the game with a 50-34 rebounding advantage, including 22 offensive boards that produced crucial second-chance points.
Lawrence led the Pioneers with 18 points, knocking down three three-pointers while adding five rebounds and three assists. Green followed with 15 points, including a 7-of-9 performance from the free throw line.
Yarbrough added 12 points and a team-high eight rebounds, while
Brett Leach and
Jordan Logan each contributed 12 and 11 points, respectively.
Julian Perez also reached double figures with 11 points, helping Wayland finish with 12 three-pointers in the contest.
As a team, the Pioneers shot 40.6 percent from the field and 40 percent from beyond the arc, while converting 18-of-26 free throws.
Although the tournament run came to an end in the Second Round, the Pioneers capped off a strong season with 24 victories and a trip to the national tournament, highlighted by a first-round win and a resilient effort against one of the tournament's top teams.
