NAIA
[Men's Basketball] #10 Drovers Extend Win-Streak to Seven Against Wayland Baptist
CHICKASHA, Okla. – Saturday afternoon, the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (23-4, 18-2 SAC) extended their win-streak to a seven with an 83-73 victory against Wayland Baptist University (15-12, 11-9 SAC). The Drovers are one of the hottest teams in the country, having won 15 of their last 16 games, and with the victory, the Drovers maintain their lead in at the top of the Sooner Athletic Conference standings. Science & Arts currently holds a 2.0 game lead over SAGU heading into the final two games of the regular season, both of which will be at home on Brisco McPherson Court. With one more win or a SAGU loss, the Drovers will capture their first Sooner Athletic Conference championship since the 2000-2001 season! In the opening 10 minutes of the first half, the lead was exchanged six times, but the Drovers were able to control a 20-17 lead at the midway point. Science & Arts controlled the final 10 minutes of the half and took a 44-33 lead into halftime. Following the break, the Drovers continued to hold a double-digit lead for majority of the half, and led by as many as 13 points. Down the stretch, Science & Arts sealed the victory with very efficient free-throw shooting, knocking down 21 of 24 (.875) attempts at the charity stripe in the second half.As a team, Science & Arts shot 27-65 (.415) from the field, and 5-16 (.313) from three-point range. The Drovers outrebounded the Pioneers by a margin of 47-46, and they outscored WBU in the paint 40-24. Wayland Baptist was forced into committing 15 turnovers, while the Drovers only fumbled the ball seven times. Additionally, the Drovers scored 16 points off turnovers, and the Pioneers only managed six off Science & Arts' mistakes. The Drovers have been one of the NAIA's better defensive teams this season, but they are now becoming one of the highest scoring offenses, averaging 91.9 points per game over their last 11 contests.Rory Pantophlet (JR/Philipsburg, Sint Maarten) delivered a HUGE performance for the Drovers and recorded his sixth double-double of the season. Pantophlet scored 24 points, on 7-12 shooting from the field, and he shot an impressive 10-14 at the free-throw line. The big man hauled in 14 rebounds, six of which came on the offensive end of the floor. Per usual, Stephon Hall (SR/Oklahoma City, OK) made a major impact on the game, scoring 13 points and he dished out five assists, while only committing one turnover. Hall was extremely clutch in the second half, going 9-10 at the charity stripe.For the second game in a row, Elvin Rodriguez (SR/New York, NY) produced 11 points, along with five rebounds and a trio of steals. Coming off the bench this season, Rodriguez has scored in double digits in 10 of his 13 games played, and he is averaging 13.3 points per game.Tre'veon Ellis (SR/Oklahoma City, OK) provided a spark off the bench, tallying 11 points and four rebounds. Gerard Makuntae (SR/Austell, GA) was a rebounding machine, hauling in 12 rebounds, along with six points. Cameron Hines (SR/Ft. Cobb, OK) concluded with seven points and four assists. Jaden Causwell (JR/Johns Creek, GA) added five points, while Logan Dolan (FR/Broken Arrow, OK) and Cade Allen (FR/Hammon, OK) each scored three. WHAT'S NEXT?Science & Arts will go for their eighth win in a row when they return to action on Thursday, February 17 as they host John Brown University. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:45 PM CT inside Drover Fieldhouse. The Drover basketball teams will also be celebrating the legendary career of Brisco McPherson on the 17th. Mark your calendar and join us as we celebrate "Mr. Drover" on Brisco McPherson Night! Stay up to date on all Science & Arts Athletics news by following us on our media platforms!Athletics Website: www.usaoathletics.comLive-stream: www.sacsportsnetwork.com/usao/YouTube: Drover AthleticsTwitter: @DroverAthleticsFacebook: @DroverAthleticsInstagram: @drover_athleticsGIPHY: www.giphy.com/USAODrovers