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wicks
69
Wayland Baptist (Texas) WAY 19-12
72
Winner MNU (Kan.) MNU 27-6
Wayland Baptist (Texas) WAY
19-12
69
Final
72
MNU (Kan.) MNU
27-6
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Wayland Baptist (Texas) WAY 32 37 69
MNU (Kan.) MNU 27 45 72

Game Recap: Basketball (W) | | Sports Information Department

Sweet 16!

Tristin Wicks' big second half fueled a Pioneer 72-69 comeback victory over Wayland Baptist in the first round at Nationals on Thursday. The win puts MNU in the Sweet 16 for the second year in a row. The Pioneers struggled to find an offensive rhythm and WBU built a 6-point lead after 8 minutes of play. MNU kept within striking distance, but couldn't close the gap and entered halftime with a 5-point lead. Offensive rebounds were the story of the game, and the teams combined for 22 in the first half.

Wayland came out in the second half and scored to take a 7-point lead, but Tristin Wicks started to dominate the paint and scored 4 points in a 6-0 run to close the gap to 1. Daria Sprew converted a 3-point play to give MNU their first lead since the opening minutes, but Wayland responded with an 8-0 run to retake a 7-point lead. With 10 minutes left, the Pioneers trailed by 6, but an 8-0 run over 90 seconds gave MNU a 2-point lead. WBU fought back yet again, and used an 8-2 run to take a 4-point lead with 7 minutes to play. Wicks scored in the paint and Kyleesha Weston hit 2 free throws to tie the game, and Megan Balcom's 3-pointer with 4 minutes left gave MNU a lead they would not relinquish. Neither team scored for 3 and a half minutes until WBU hit a layup with 16 seconds left. Balcom was fouled and calmly drilled 2 free throws with 11 seconds left to put MNU back up by 3. After Wayland hit 2 free throws, it was Kyleesha Weston's turn at the charity stripe with 5 seconds left. Two more flawless shots gave the Pioneers another 3-point lead, Wayland couldn't tie it at the buzzer, and won 72-69.

Tristin Wicks shot 6-10 for 15 points (11 in the second half), 6 rebounds, and 3 blocks. Kyleesha Weston had 15 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 steals. Megan Balcom had 12 points, 4 assists, and 2 steals. And Daria Sprew faced 3 defenders all night and still recorded a double double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

The Pioneers are 27-6. The next game is Friday vs. #4 Campbellsville (30-3) at 8:00. MNU lost by 11 at Campbellsville in January.
 
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