Box Score
FORT WORTH, TX:  The Texas Wesleyan University men's basketball team (4-1) handed 15th ranked MidAmerica Nazarene (6-1) its first loss of the season with a 94-92 triumph in the Sid Richardson Center on Saturday.
 
The Rams could not have gotten off to a better start.  The TWU defense did not allow a field goal in the first 5:52.  Meanwhile the Rams raced out to a 16-1 advantage.  The lead swelled to 18 points when a bucket from Vernell Blackman pushed the score to 24-6.  The Pioneers finally cracked double figures with 9:45 on the clock when Conner Langrehr hit a pair of free throws to bring the score to 24-10.
 
Trailing 28-15 with 6:30 on the clock, the No. 15 Pioneers found their stride.  Over the next 4:10, MNU went on a 16-2 run that gave them their only lead of the game at 31-30.  Kenny Rhymes answered with a basket and eventually the Rams went to the locker room up 34-32.
 
The Rams led throughout the second half, finding an answer for every Pioneer effort.  Texas Wesleyan led 87-82 heading into the final minute.  The Rams hit 7-of-10 free throws in that final minute to hold off MidAmerica.  The Pioneers got a three-point play from Nate Launius with 0.3 seconds showing on the clock, but the Rams were able to inbound the ball cleanly and take the game 94-92.
 
For the game MidAmerica outshot Texas Wesleyan 48%-44% from the field.  However, the Rams shot 48% (11-23) from long range while the Pioneers managed just 33% (6-18) from distance.  The Rams also shot a solid 72% (23-32) at the free throw line, while MNU could not take advantage of 28 TWU fouls, shooting just 50% (20-40) at the line.
 
The Rams were led by Rilwan Bakare's 26 points, six rebounds, and three blocks.  Dallas Jones added 20 points and nine rebounds.  Jorge Redmon posted 20 points, four rebounds, and four assists.
 
Langrehr led all scorers with 35 points.  Nick Syrie added 15 points for MNU.
 
The Rams will return to action at Our Lady of the Lake University's Halo Classic November 22-23.  The Rams will take on OLLU at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and the University of St. Thomas at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday.