Plainview, Texas -- With the game knotted at 79-79, Travis Payton scored with four seconds remaining to give the Wayland Baptist University Pioneers an 81-79 win over the No. 18-ranked Mid-America Christian University Evangels in a Sooner Athletic Conference matchup Saturday afternoon (Jan. 11) in Plainview, Texas. 

The Evangels had a chance to tie or take the lead, but a three by Semar Farris was off the mark as time expired. 

MACU found themselves playing from behind most of the day, trailing by as much as eight on five occasions in the second half before a three by Reggie Davis gave the Evangels their first lead since the 8:56 mark of the first half.  

Davis' trey made it 66-65 at the 6:29 mark and capped a 13-4 run. 

After an exchange of leads, a three-point play by Barry Johnson and two free throws from Markus Monroe put the Pioneers back in front 72-68 with 4:32 remaining. 

Following another three by Davis that cut the lead to one, Monroe converted a three-point play that again stretched the WBU lead to four with 3:25 left. 

Still down four, Angelo Lewis scored inside and after a defensive stop Farris stepped to the line and tied the score at 77-77 with two freebies. 

Payton then put the Pioneers on top with a layup, only to have Farris again tie the score with 34 seconds left that set up Payton's final heroics. 

The opening half was also close throughout, featuring four ties before the Pioneers broke through with some breathing room to lead 38-34 at the break. 

Farris knocked down 7-of-10 from three-point range and scored a game-high 29 points along with four assists.  Davis scored 15 and Jarius Wilson added 11.  Lewis and Josh Smith also scored in double-figures with 10 points each.  Lewis led the Evangels with seven rebounds.  

Monroe paced the Pioneers with 17 points, while Payton scored 15 and led WBU with six assists.  Juhreece Thompson also scored 15 and Johnson added 13.  Kelly Lawson chipped in with 12 along with a game-high nine boards.  

The Pioneers enjoyed a 47-37 edge overall on the boards, with a 17-10 edge on the offensive glass. 

The 18th ranked Evangels will try to get back on the winning track by returning home to host the Southwestern Christian University Eagles on Thursday night (Jan. 16) at 8 p.m. inside the Gaulke Activity Center.