Plainview, TX – Coming off a three-point victory at Central Christian College on December 14, the Bobcats returned to action after over two weeks off, traveling to face the Pioneers of Wayland Baptist University.

Andrew Dalton opened the scoring, a Jay Baxter dunk followed and a three from Jaiden Wilson tied the score, 7-7 in the early going. Two Garrett Snyder free throws gave the Cats a lead, and the teams continued to trade jabs. Andrew Dalton and Jaiden Wilson provided buckets for the Cats and Jay Baxter connected on a pair of free throws to keep the score close. The Cats trailed 15-16 with 11:04 remaining. A scoring drought ensued, and the Cats would not score again until the 7:03 mark. Kyle Flavin broke through with a jumper, and Andrew Dalton followed with a three and the Pioneer lead had grown to 20-27 with 5:30 remaining in the half. Jaiden Wilson completed a traditional three-point play and Jay Baxter scored, but the Pioneers would answer with two threes of their own. As the half came to a close, the Cats trailed 25-40.

Caleb Faulkner led the Cats’ offense early in the second half, scoring seven points in the first three minutes. Garrett Snyder made a layup, but the Pioneers continued to answer the challenges. The Pioneers took a timeout with 14:42 remaining, and a Caleb Faulkner layup followed by two consecutive three-pointers from Andrew Dalton cut the Cats’ deficit to 11. Faulkner continued his hot hand, nailing a three, but the Cats struggled to gain any more momentum. Brady Reynolds and Bryce Butler both provided buckets, and Kyle Flavin made hit a pair of free throws to keep the Cats in contention. Andrew Dalton and Jay Baxter each drained a three, but the Pioneers had begun to pull away. Trailing 59-75 with less than five minutes to play, Garrett Snyder nailed a three and Jaiden Wilson completed another three-point play. Bryce Butler hit a pair of free throws and Landen Campbell dropped in a layup, but the Cats could not put together the needed run. The Pioneers closed out the contest and took the 69-86 win.

Andrew Dalton led the offense with 16 points, while Caleb Faulkner added 14 and Jaiden Wilson provided 11. Wilson led the team in assists, dishing out six. Jay Baxter and Garrett Snyder both brought down four rebounds.

The Cats play again in Goodwell, Oklahoma, against the Aggies of Oklahoma Panhandle State University, on Saturday, January 4 at 3:45 PM.