WAXAHACHIE, TX: The 7th ranked Texas Wesleyan University men's basketball team (23-4, 14-2 SAC) clinched its first Sooner Athletic Conference regular season championship with a 78-66 win at Southwestern Assemblies of God University (18-10, 9-7 SAC) on Saturday. The Rams are in their third season since joining the NAIA's toughest conference in the 2013-14 season.
With two games to play, the Rams now have a three game lead on second place Mid-America Christian University. No. 13 MACU fell to 11-5 in conference play after a loss to Southwestern Christian on Saturday. The Rams would have clinched the title regardless of the outcome of that game as they hold the tiebreaker with the Evangels by virtue of sweeping the season series.
The Rams were challenged on Saturday as much as they have been during their current 13-game winning streak. In their previous 12 contests, Texas Wesleyan had trailed for a total of 14:12. On Saturday the Lions led for much of the first half and led as late as 46-45 with 11:18 to play. In total SAGU was ahead on the scoreboard for 19:02 of game time.
The Lions were hot out of the gate as Jason Gentry knocked down three 3-pointers in the first three minutes. Gentry's fifth three of the half gave SAGU its largest lead of the game at 35-26 with 3:38 remaining.
The Rams were never rattled. Texas Wesleyan scored the final eight points of the half and trailed by just one (35-34) at the break.
Jerell Ellis opened the second half with a triple and the Rams were right back on top.
After shooting 47.4% (9-19) from beyond the arc in the first half, the Lions cooled off to 23.1% (3-13) in the second half.
Back-to-Back three's from
BJ Batts put the Rams on top 51-46, a lead they never relinquished. SAGU kept the game close until the Rams went on a 14-3 run to extend the lead to 11 at 68-57. The Lions were unable to recover, and the Rams went on to win 78-66.
For the game, both teams shot 33.3% from the field, but 16 SAGU turnovers and 26 offensive rebounds from the Rams allowed Texas Wesleyan to take 15 more shots from the field. The Lions hit 12 long range shots while the Rams hit just six. Both teams got to the free throw line with regularity and both shot 78% at the line. Texas Wesleyan dominated the glass to the tune of a +19 rebounding margin (56-37).
Dion Rogers led the Rams with 17 points, while
Chris Gracela posted 16 points and nine rebounds.
Sam Akano came off the bench to score 14 points.
Gentry, who attempted only one 3-pointer in the second half, finished with 17 points. Isaak Rowe added 13 points for the Lions, and Watkins finished with 11.
The Rams will return to action on Thursday in their final home game of the season. They will host Oklahoma City University at the Sid Richardson Center. That game is scheduled for an 8:00 p.m. start.
Ramblings
- The Rams have won 13 consecutive games. They have won 7 in a row by a double-figure margin. The school record for consecutive wins is 19 set in the 1940-41 season.
- The Rams lead the all-time series with SAGU 25-9. Oklahoma City holds a narrow 11-10 lead in the all-time series including a 72-67 OCU win earlier this season.
