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FORT WORTH, TX:  Eric Frederick  turned in a monster game with 42 points and 21 rebounds to lead the Texas Wesleyan University men’s basketball team (18-4, 13-3 RRAC) to an 86-83 win over the University of St. Thomas (14-9, 12-5) on Monday.
 
The victory avenged a 79-58 loss at UST earlier this season.  For Frederick it was his second 40-point game of the season (42 vs. Oklahoma Christian University) and second 20-rebound game of the year (21 at LSU-Shreveport).  He is now averaging 26.6 points per game (2nd in the NAIA) and 10.5 rebounds per game (4th in the NAIA).
 
The Rams jumped out to an 11-5 lead.  The lead swelled to double-figures at 31-19 after a three from Frederick with 6:56 on the clock.  With 5:53 to play in the first half, Frederick secured his 10th double-double of the season with 13 points and 10 rebounds.  UST closed the first half with a three from Anthony Medina, the Celts eighth triple of the period, to make the score a manageable 43-34 at the intermission.
 
The Rams held the Celts to 39% shooting in the first half while hitting 51.6% on their end including 58% (7-12) from long range.
 
The Rams continued to hold a double-figure lead at 70-60 with 8:52 to play, when UST’s Jeremy Lewis and Travis Lampley combined to score 10 points during a 12-2 run to tie the game at 72.  The Celts later led 76-74, but Frederick hit a pair of free throws, Ronnie Moss came up with a steal and a fast break layup, and Frederick knocked down a three to give the Rams an 81-76 advantage.
 
With 22 seconds to play Irvin Rue dodged a bullet.  Frederick missed the second of two free throws, got his own rebounds, but missed the put-back attempt.  That would have put Frederick at 44 points, with a chance to break Rue’s Texas Wesleyan single game scoring record of 45 (1965).
 
Instead, St. Thomas hit a pair of free throws to make it a one point game at 84-83 with 18 seconds to play.  On the ensuing TWU possession, Brian Talley was good for two huge free throws, and UST’s last second three-point attempt was off the mark.
 
Frederick was 15-for-25 from the field, 6-for-10 from three-point range, and 6-for-9 at the free throw line.  Moss also had a terrific game with 26 points, six rebounds, and eight assists.  Talley finished the game with nine points.
 
For the game, the Rams outshot the Celts 52%-47% from the field and 55% (12-22) – 48% (13-27) from three-point range.  Texas Wesleyan also held a 38-30 rebounding edge.
 
“I thought this was a great college basketball game between to very good teams,” commented head coach Terry Waldrop.  “We made plays down the stretch that we had to make.  You have to give a lot of credit to St. Thomas.  They played very well.  They are a well-coached team, and we are very happy to get the win.”
 
The Celts were led by Lewis’ 24 points, while Medina finished with 16, Caleb Williams 15, and Lampley 12.
 
The Rams will return to action on Thursday, when they travel to Waxahachie, TX, to take on Southwestern Assemblies of God University in the first of three consecutive road games.  That contest is scheduled for a 5:30 p.m. start in the Schaefer Full Life Center.