Box Score

DALLAS, TX: The Texas Wesleyan University men’s basketball team (6-0, 1-0 RRAC) picked up a road victory in their Red River Athletic Conference Opener on Saturday. The Rams topped Paul Quinn College (3-4, 0-1) by a final score of 72-56.

 

The Rams came out slowly. However, while Paul Quinn was building a 19-15 lead, the Rams were putting the Tigers in early foul trouble. With 7:25 on the clock, a three from Bryce Hill gave the Rams a 20-19 lead. The Rams wore down the Tigers late in the period. Texas Wesleyan used an 11-2 run to lead 39-27 before PQC’s John Girdy ended the half with a three-pointer.

 

Paul Quinn’s Mitchell Thompson led all scorers in the first half with 14 points, but also drew three fouls. Two other Tigers escaped the period with two fouls a piece.

 

The foul situation became pronounced early in the second half. Thompson nailed a three for Paul Quinn’s first bucket, but picked up his fourth foul less than four minutes into the half. The Tigers closed the gap to 50-45 on a three from Eddren McCain, but Brian Wanamaker answered with a long-range shot on the Rams next possession. The Rams stretched the lead to double-figures at 59-49 and never looked back.

 

Thompson returned to the game with 8:55 remaining and fouled out on Texas Wesleyan’s next possession. Taj Givens followed Thompson out of the game three minutes later.

 

“This was a very physical game,” commented head coach Terry Waldrop. “Paul Quinn is going to win some games in our conference this year. Our depth was a big difference again. I thought we did a good job inside. We will play better, but that’s a good win on the road.”

 

The Rams outshot the Tigers 44%-33% from the floor and ran the fast break to a 25-4 advantage. The Texas Wesleyan bench also outscored Paul Quinn 29-11. Paul Quinn was whistled for 23 fouls.   That allowed the Rams to score 19 points (19-30) at the free-throw line while the Tigers scored just three freebies (3-6).

 

Wanamaker led the Rams with 17 points, seven rebounds, and five assists. The Rams big men dominated the paint with Ty Gough scoring 14 points and grabbing six rebounds and Jeremy Mayfield finishing with 12 points and seven boards. Hill finished with 12 points and three steals.

 

The Rams will return to action on Monday, when they host Southwestern Assemblies of God University. That game is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. start in the Sid Richardson Center.