Box Score
FORT WORTH, TX:  The Texas Wesleyan University men's basketball team (1-0) took a 97-88 win over Southwestern Adventist University (0-1) in their season opener at the Sid Richardson Center on Saturday.
 
The game was well on its way to a blowout in the first half.  Deonte Jones nearly tallied a double-double in the period with 12 points and eight rebounds.  Meanwhile, Texas Wesleyan led by as many as 24 points (42-18) on their way to a 45-26 edge at the break.
 
In the second half, JaColby Hardin-Crawford became a one-man show for SWAU.  The Rams were leading by a comfortable 61-41 margin with 13 minutes to play, when Hardin-Crawford drained the first of his six three pointers.  Kevin Squarzon got in on the act as well, and the Knights whittled the lead all the way down to five at 88-83.
 
Texas Wesleyan pushed the lead back to double figures with a 9-3 run on their way to the 97-88 victory.
 
For the game Texas Wesleyan outshot SWAU 51% - 44%.  The Rams held the Knights to 23.5% from the floor in the first half before allowing 63.9% in the second half.  Texas Wesleyan dominated the glass 51-33 and led 52-34 in points in the paint.
 
Deonte Jones led all scorers with 31 points to go with 11 rebounds in just 27 minutes of action.  Jorge Redmon added 26 points, and Dallas Jones finished with 17.  Eli Alexander just missed a double-double with nine points and 10 rebounds.   Jervon Hooks dished out 16 assists in the win.
 
Hardin-Crawford finished with 28 points including 26 in the second half.  Squarzon poured in 30 points including 21 in the second half.  Terry Eichelberg added 13 points for the Knights.
 
The Rams must recover quickly as they host Texas College on Monday.  That game is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. start in the Sid Richardson Center.