Eagles Survive Late ABC Surge to Win in Monday Matinee

WALNUT RIDGE, Ark. (12/15/25) – The Williams Baptist University men's basketball team defeated Arkansas Baptist by the final score of 98-90 inside the Southerland-Mabee Center on Monday afternoon.

Deion Wesson led the WBU scoring attack with 31 points on 9-of-18 from the field, with a 5-of-8 mark from three-point range.  Jesse Washington followed up with 16 points.  

Rico Quinton posted his first double-double of the season with 16 points and 10 rebounds, alongside five blocks on the defensive end.

As a team, Williams went 33-of-69 (47.8 percent) from the field and 11-of-22 (50.0 percent) from three-point range.  The Eagles won the rebound battle 43-40 and scored 40 points in the paint.

Wesson kicked off the game with a three-pointer after WBU forced a turnover on the first possession of the game.  Five minutes later, Arkansas Baptist took the 11-9 lead on two free throws from Christopher Hood.

Christ Theodor responded by knocking down a pair of free throws to kick off a 15-4 run that put WBU ahead 28-17.  Williams continued to add pressure, ending the first half with an 11-3 run to take a 53-34 lead into halftime.

The Eagles stayed hot out of the locker room, beginning the second half on an 8-0 run featuring three-pointers from Deion Wesson and Amarion Wilson to go up 61-34.  After ABC fought back to cut the lead to 12, WBU used a 9-1 run to take its largest lead of the day at 83-53 with 12:20 left to play.

The Buffaloes responded with an 11-4 run, forcing an Eagle timeout with 6:50 left. In the final six minutes, Arkansas Baptist outscored WBU 24-11, steadily cutting the Eagles' lead. With just 1:05 remaining, Javion Johnson's layup brought Arkansas Baptist within eight points, making it 94-86.  

Despite the Buffaloes' surge in the closing minutes, the Eagles maintained their composure and secured the victory, remaining undefeated at home.

The win moves WBU to 8-2 overall on the season.  The Eagles will return to the court on Tuesday, Dec. 16, for a road game at Principia.  Tipoff against the Panthers is set for 7 p.m. from Elsah, Ill.