Box Score

SAN ANTONIO, TX: Sixth ranked Texas Wesleyan University’s (21-2, 14-1 RRAC) Brian Wanamaker and Jonathan Blake combined for 56 points to lead the Rams past Our Lady of the Lake University (13-10, 9-7), who got 46 points from Marco Cooper and Robert Martinez on Monday. The Rams survived 91-89 in Red River Athletic Conference play.

 

In the first half, the game rolled through five ties and four lead changes. The Rams survived 12 first half turnovers by dominating the paint, where they outscored the Saints, 26-12, and getting the free throw line, where they hit 18-of-23.

 

The Saints held their largest lead of the half at 41-34 with less than five minutes to play. Wanamaker poured in eight points during a 12-2 run that gave Texas Wesleyan a 46-43 lead with 41 seconds to play. OLLU came back to tie the game at 46, but Blake went the length of the court to score the final bucket of the half and give the Rams a 48-46 halftime edge.

 

The Rams had the game in hand at 71-65 midway through the second half, when Martinez drained a three and a late whistle gave him a four-point play. The Rams were then nursing a 75-72 lead with just over five minutes to go, when OLLU’s Curtis Bowens shot a three. The ball appeared to be in his hand as the shot clock buzzer sounded. Bowens banked in the three, and the shot was counted to tie the game at 75.

 

Wanamaker, who penetrated and got to the free throw line at will throughout the contest, converted four straight free throws to give Texas Wesleyan a 79-75 advantage. The Rams led 89-82 entering the final two minutes. After OLLU scored a pair at the line, the Rams were called for a shot clock violation. OLLU’s Ricardo Zanini hit a three to bring the score to 89-87 entering the final minute. After a TWU turnover, Arthur Govan scored for OLLU to tie the game with 22 seconds to play.

 

With five seconds to play, Blake slammed home the go ahead basket off a feed from Wanamaker. Martinez got a look at a potential game-winning three, but his shot rimmed out, and the Rams came away with the 91-89 win.

 

Wanamaker finished with 34 points. The senior guard out of Philadelphia, PA, set school records with 20 free throws made and 22 free throws attempted. Blake added a double-double on 22 points and 10 rebounds. Bryce Hill scored 12 points, and Jeremy Smith posted 10 points and eight assists.

 

“Our Lady of the Lake is a good team with a lot of energy, and they play very well at home,” commented head coach Terry Waldrop. “Once again we made plays down the stretch to win game, and you come to expect that out of this team. That was a great cut to the basket by Blake and a great unselfish pass by Wanamaker for the game winner. We attacked the basket all night and you expect this team to make those kinds of plays.

 

Thompson notched 26 points and 12 rebounds for the Saints. Martinez finished with 20 points and eight assists.

 

For the game, the Rams outshot the Saints 58%-37% from the floor, and 40% (4-10) – 27% (9-33) from long range. The Rams led 41-34 in rebounding and 46-26 in points in the paint. OLLU forced 21 turnovers which they turned into 28 points. The Rams scored just 11 points off of seven OLLU turnovers.

 

The Rams will return to action on Saturday, when they host Wiley College. That game is scheduled for a 4:00 p.m. start in the Sid Richardson Center.