Plainview, Texas - The Wayland Baptist Pioneers placed four players in double-figures and defeated the Mid-America Christian Evangels 90-78 in Sooner Athletic Conference action Thursday night (Jan. 27) in Plainview, Texas.
The Evangels led by as many 11 in the first half, but fell behind at the 11:39 mark thanks to a 9-0 run by the Pioneers that put them ahead 24-22.
It was a see-saw affair for the remainder of the opening half, with four ties and five lead changes.
When Camilo Valencia put the Evangels in front by one with three free throws, Rodrigo Silva hit a jumper with 14 seconds left that gave the Pioneers a 48-47 lead heading into the break.
A free throw by George Haynes and a three from Nathan Pratt quickly gave the Evangels (10-9, 6-7 SAC) a three-point lead early in the second half, but Silva capped a 12-0 spurt with a three-point play that gave the Pioneers a 60-51 cushion.
Blake Larson then came off the bench and scored five points to key an 11-2 run as the Evangels tied the score on a jumper by Brandon Williams at the 11:28 point of the second half.
The game continued to go back-and-forth as George Williams hit a jumper and then nailed a three as the Pioneers scored the next points to go up 69-62.
Williams scored the Evangels' next four points to help them come within 70-66 when the Pioneers (7-13, 2-11 SAC) took control with an 8-0 run that gave them their largest lead to that point at 12 with 5:20 remaining.
The Pioneers from there maintained at least a 10-point lead the rest of the way en route to their second conference win of the season.
Williams led the Evangels with 17 and John Shodipo added 12. George Haynes pulled down a team-high six rebounds.
Silva led four Pioneers in double-figures with a game-high 19 points. Williams and Bobby Watkins each scored 17, while Watkins also tallied a game-high 12 boards. C'Jamarion Leashore scored 14 and added a game-high seven assists.
The Pioneers were bolstered by shooting a scorching 60.0 percent (30-of-50) from the field overall for the game.
The Evangels will have another matchup in the Lone Star state as they will play at Lubbock Christian on Saturday afternoon (Jan. 29) at 3 p.m.
