Cele and Makuntae Combine for 59 as Science & Arts Wins on the Road at Wayland Baptist
PLAINVIEW, Texas. – Thursday night, the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (16-11, 13-8 SAC) collected a huge victory on the road, with an 86-85 triumph at Wayland Baptist University (20-7, 15-6 SAC).
With one game remaining in the regular season, the Drovers sit in fourth place in the Sooner Athletic Conference standings. At the conclusion of the regular season, the top eight teams will advance to the SAC Tournament, and the top four seeds will host in the opening round, prior to moving to the campus Mid-America Christian University for the semi-finals and finals.
On Thursday, the Pioneers got off to a hot start and led by as many as nine points, but USAO was able to trim the deficit to 23-21 midway through the first half. The Drovers claimed their first lead of the game, with the score being 31-29 with 7:06 remaining in the half. The score remained tight in the final minutes, with the Pioneers holding a 46-42 advantage at the break.
Following halftime, the Pioneers remained in control for majority of the half, but with 2:32 to play, Samkelo Cele knocked down a deep three-pointer to knot the score at 83-83.
With 30 seconds to play Cele gave the Drovers an 86-85 lead with a contested layup in the paint, and USAO went on to cling to victory in the final seconds of regulation.
As a team, the Drovers shot 36-69 (.522) from the field, and just 9-20 (.450) from three-point range. In comparison, the Pioneers shot 35-73 (.479) from the field, and 7-25 (.280) from deep. USAO held a 42-36 advantage in the rebounding battle, and the Drovers committed 14 turnovers, while the Pioneers fumbled the ball nine times.
Both teams were whistled for 13 fouls, with the Drovers going 5-9 (.556) from the line, and WBU went 8-14 (.571).
Four different Drovers scored in double figures, but Samkelo Cele and Gerard Makuntae stole the spotlight with 20+ point performances.
Cele finished with 27 points on 11-20 shooting from the field, including 3-6 from deep. Cele also hauled in seven rebounds, and he added two steals on the defensive end of the court. Cele has recorded 20 or more points in 13 games this season, and he has scored at least 27 points on eight different occasions.
Makuntae contributed 22 points on 9-16 shooting from the field, including 4-7 from beyond the arc. Makuntae hauled in six rebounds and dished out a pair of assists. The Georgia native has recorded at least 20 points in nine separate contests this season.
Cejay Mann and Tyler Cauley provided a huge boost off the bench. Mann closed with 15 points on 6-10 shooting from the field, while Cauley closed with 12 points, six rebounds, and three assists.
Cade Allen added four points and four rebounds. Jaden Harrell recorded a team-high of eight rebounds, along with three points, two assists, and two steals. Logan Dolan scored three points as he went 1-1 from deep.
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Drovers will head to Goodwell, Okla. for the regular season finale at Oklahoma Panhandle State University on Saturday, February 18. Tip-off at OPSU is scheduled for 3:45 PM
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