Oklahoma City, Okla. - The Mid-America Christian Evangels blitzed the Wayland Baptist Pioneers with a 17-0 run in the first half and cruised to an 82-62 Sooner Athletic Conference victory Saturday afternoon (Dec. 4) at the Gaulke Activity Center
The Evangels trailed early 6-3 when George Haynes began the huge spurt with two free throws that was followed by a three by Nathan Pratt that gave MACU the lead for good.
Four straight free throws from John Shodipo continued the run and consecutive buckets from Brandon Williams and Bradley Cosby pushed the Evangel lead to double-figures at 16-6.
Camilo Valencia hit a free throw, Cameron Langster hit from long range and Williams made two more free throws to cap the run and give the Evangels a comfortable 22-6 advantage at the 12:51 mark of the first half.
A dunk by Haynes gave the Evangels their biggest lead of the half at 48-21 and they went on to a 50-26 cushion at the half.
The Evangels kept the Pioneers at arms length in the second half and a pair of free throws by Valencia gave MACU its largest lead of the game at 66-36 with 10:41 remaining.
The closest the Pioneers could get from that point was the final 20 point margin.
Williams scored a team-high 17 points and Haynes scored 13 along with a team-best nine rebounds.
Shodipo scored 12 and Cosby added 10 for MACU.
George Williams was the lone Pioneer in double-figures with a game-high 21 points and Rodrigo Silva recorded a team-high nine boards.
The Evangels (3-4, 1-2 SAC) forced 27 turnovers and out-rebounded the Pioneers 42-39 overall and 14-6 on the offensive glass.
MACU will next wrap up its three-game conference homestand by hosting the Oklahoma City Stars on Thursday night (Dec. 4) at 8 p.m. at the Gaulke Activity Center.
In the first meeting with OCU this season, the Evangels led by 12 in the second half but the Stars rallied for a 77-73 win.
