Box Score

MUSKOGEE, OK: The seventh ranked Texas Wesleyan University men’s basketball team (14-2, 7-1 RRAC) took a 92-86 win on the road on Saturday. The Rams defeated Bacone College (9-7, 4-5) in Red River Athletic Conference action.

 

The Rams jumped out to a quick 10-4 lead after a conventional three-point play by Jonathan Blake. Midway through the period, the Rams scored eight unanswered points to take their largest lead of the half at 29-18, and led by the same margin, 46-35, at the break.

 

The Rams shot 60.7% from the field in the first half, thanks largely to Jeremy Mayfield (6-8, 12 points) and Brian Wanamaker (4-7, 14 points). The Rams also hammered the Warriors on the glass, 22-10.

 

Bacone was able to make things interesting midway through the second half. An intentional foul called against Texas Wesleyan turned a two-point possession into four for Bacone. That capped a 9-0 run that cut the score to 67-63 with 10:32 to play.

 

The Rams got four big points on their next possession. Mayfield scored a layup and was fouled. He missed the free throw, but Ty Gough was there for the board and put-back.

 

Although the Rams never gave up the lead, the game remained tight. With 2:49 to play, Bacone’s Chad Tyler hit his sixth three of the game, was fouled and scored the bonus shot to bring his team within a point at 81-80. Texas Wesleyan scored the next five points. That run was capped by an emphatic dunk from Gough that all but put the game away at 86-80 with 39 seconds to play. Wanamaker and Jeremy Smith combined to hit six straight free throws in the final seconds, and Texas Wesleyan held on for the 92-86 win.

 

For the game, the Rams shot 58.5% from the field, 43.8% from distance, and 71.9% at the charity stripe. Bacone managed 46% from the field, 42.9% from long range, and 67.9% at the free throw line. Texas Wesleyan took the battle-of-the-boards 39-29.

 

Wanamaker led all scorers with 25 points, while adding eight rebounds and seven assists. Mayfield finished with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Smith added 11 points to the win, while Gough just missed a double-double with nine points and eight rebounds.

 

Tyler led the Warriors with 24 points. James Scott (18 points, 10 rebounds) and Jeff Ayisire (12 points, 12 rebounds) both posted double-doubles.

 

The Rams will return to action on Monday, when they travel to Langston, OK, to take on Langston University. That game is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. start.