TYLER, Texas- J’Tierra Brown posted a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds as the Texas Wesleyan women’s basketball snagged up a conference victory on the road in an 80-73 win over Texas College on Monday night. The Lady Rams are now 7-2 on the season and 3-1 in the RRAC. Brown also had 9 assists in the win. ToEisha Cooper led the way in scoring for Texas Wesleyan with 22 points and 8 rebounds.
 
“ToEisha Cooper stepped up big tonight and had her best game of the season to keep us in the first half,” said head coach Bill Franey. “J’Tierra took over at the end and consistently made plays to close out the game. She had 11 rebounds and came one assist short of a triple-double.”
 
Both squads started the first half sluggish, shooting the ball below 35 percent. Takoia Larry found herself in foul trouble early in the game, picking up her third foul at the 9:00 minute mark in the first half.
 
With 5:40 remaining in the first period, Kayla McCray hit a jumper to put the Lady Rams ahead by five at 25-20. Cooper soon after was able to find the net off of a jump shot giving Texas Wesleyan their largest lead of the first half at 27-21.
 
Ashli Smith was able to pull Texas College within two points off of an assist by Sekeya Roberson to put the score at 27-25 with less than four minutes remaining in the first. Both teams would battle basket for basket before eventually entering halftime tied at 34.
 
Texas College held their largest lead of the night in the second half at 49-41. The Lady Rams responded by going on a 6-0 run to get within two. Cooper was then sent to the free throw line as the junior knocked down both free baskets to tie the game at 49 with 12:59 remaining to play.
 
Connie Espinas hit from behind the arc to tie the score again at 61 at the 6:20 mark in the second half. Kashyla Fields answered right back with a three-pointer of her own to push the Lady Rams ahead. The Lady Rams were able to hold of Texas College for the remainder of the half, as the squad went on to win their third conference game of the season.
 
“Once again the team closed out well in a close game,” said Franey. “I keep hoping for a better first half but Thursday in Hobbs would be the perfect time for that.”
 
The Lady Rams will have that chance as the squad will travel to Hobbs, New Mexico in their third road game in five days to tip-off against the University of the Southwest at 5:30 p.m.