Box Score

MARSHALL, TX:  The Texas Wesleyan University women’s basketball team (20-5, 15-4 RRAC) hit the 20-win plateau for the third consecutive season with a 78-71 win at Wiley College (17-8, 13-7) on Thursday.
 
In the first half, the Rams outshot Wiley 42%-34% from the field.  Octavia Mullins filled the stat sheet to the tune of 10 points, 12 rebounds, and five assists in the period, but 11 Texas Wesleyan turnovers allowed Wiley to stay close.
 
Coming out of a timeout with the score tied at 21, Courtney Turner knocked down a pair of three pointers and Mullins grabbed four rebounds during a 10-0 Texas Wesleyan run.  The Wildcats closed the period with a quick 9-2 run to close the gap to 35-32 at the break.
 
Wiley stayed hot in the second half and took a 42-41 lead three minutes into the frame.  From that point, neither team enjoyed a lead larger than three points until the Wildcats pushed ahead 66-60 with 4:25 to play.  A three-point play from Kayla McCray then sparked a 7-0 run that gave Texas Wesleyan a 67-66 edge.  The lead changed hands two more times, but seven straight points for TWU gave the Lady Rams a 74-68 lead entering the game’s final minute.  The Rams went 7-for-8 at the free throw line in the final two minutes to seal the 78-71 victory.
 
Mullins finished with 13 points and 20 rebounds, marking her third career 20 rebound game, just one shy of the school’s single game record.  The Rams have reached at least 20 wins in four of their last five seasons.
 
For the game, Texas Wesleyan shot 46% from the field compared to just 37% for Wiley.  Mullins’ effort gave the Rams a slim 47-46 rebounding margin and a solid 16-9 edge in second chance points.  The Wildcats turned 21 Texas Wesleyan turnovers into a 20-13 edge in points off of turnovers.
 
Four other Lady Rams joined Mullins in scoring double-figures.  Nicole Terral notched 16 points, Brittany White 14, Turner 11, and Kristi Alexander 10.
 
Wiley was led by Chinwendu Mbah’s 18 points and nine rebounds.  Latkia Smith added 14 points and eight boards in the loss.
 
The Lady Rams will return to action on Saturday, when they host Texas College on Think Pink Night at the Sid Richardson Center.  That game, scheduled for a 2:00 p.m. start will also mark Homecoming at Texas Wesleyan.