Offense Powers Drover Win

PLAINVIEW, Texas – With all five starters scoring in double figures, the University of Science and Arts rolled up the most points its scored all season to beat Wayland Baptist Thursday night on the road 81-76.

In a game that saw seven ties and 16 lead changes, USAO took the lead with 11:38 left in the game and protected it like a veteran team. Twice the Drovers pushed the lead to 11 points and five times WBU squeezed the lead down to three points or less. Each time, though, USAO had answer – most of the time from the free-throw line.

For the game, USAO was hit or miss from the line but had plenty of chances connecting on 27-of-40. The home team didn’t even get up half as many attempts finishing 13-of-19 from the line.

Kevin Thames scored a team-high 18 points including three 3-pointers and 7-of-10 from the free throw line in his second start of the season. Thomas Woods made a huge impact in his first game back after suffering a concussion against Oklahoma Christian. The junior from New Orleans, La., posted 16 points and nine rebounds.

DeAngelo Alexander also scored 16 points on 5-of-7 shooting and 6-of-6 from the free throw line. With eight rebounds and four steals in 32 minutes of play, Thursday was his third straight game in double figures. Dalane Finley and Avery Stevenson finished with 14 and 12 points respectively as USAO has moved back into contention in the league.

Saturday, USAO will play at third-place Lubbock Christian with a chance to move into the top four of the Sooner Athletic Conference.

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