BALDWIN CITY, Kan. (Interstat) — Malachi Bryant scored 25 points and dished out nine assists to lead MidAmerica Nazarene to an 81-69 victory over Baker in a men’s NAIA basketball game Wednesday night at Collins Center.

The win avenged a five-point loss to the Wildcats earlier in the season and improved the Pioneers to 11-10. Baker fell to 7-13.

The most important stretch of the game came early, as MidAmerica Nazarene established a commanding lead from which Baker never recovered. The Pioneers opened the game with a blistering offensive display, connecting on 7 of their first 11 three-point attempts. Uriah Boutte was instrumental in the early surge, scoring 14 of his points in the first quarter, including three shots from beyond the arc.

This hot shooting propelled MidAmerica Nazarene to a 36-point first quarter and a 36-29 lead after 10 minutes. While Baker’s offense kept pace initially, the Wildcats could not match the Pioneers’ efficiency from deep. MidAmerica Nazarene finished the game shooting 44.8% from three-point range, making 13 of 29 attempts. Baker managed just 5 of 20 from long distance.

Bryant, the Pioneers’ top performer, controlled the tempo throughout. In addition to his scoring and playmaking, he directed an offense that posted an offensive rating of 109.3 points per 100 possessions. His nine assists accounted for all but one of his team’s total assists for the game.

Baker was led by Alex Gunnels with 14 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Myles Tucker added 15 points and Lucas Lyons scored 13. The Wildcats struggled with ball security and shooting consistency, committing 11 turnovers and shooting 41.3% from the field overall. They also converted only 12 of 22 free throw attempts.

Despite being out-assisted and committing more turnovers, MidAmerica Nazarene’s early shooting clinic and superior rebounding, where they held a 39-34 edge, proved decisive. The Pioneers maintained a double-digit lead for much of the second half, weathering several Baker attempts to close the gap.

Isaiah Cull provided a strong interior presence for MidAmerica Nazarene with 11 rebounds and seven points. Landon Wagler added 14 points and six rebounds.

The game was a reversal of fortune from their November meeting, where Baker prevailed. According to Interstat’s ELO system, the Wildcats entered with a slight 51.4% probability to win.

MidAmerica Nazarene next hosts Park on Feb. 4. Baker travels to face Grand View on Saturday.