Box Score
FORT WORTH, TX:  Texas Wesleyan University's Clifford Classic delivered a pair of exciting contests on Friday.  After LSU-Shreveport (3-4) escaped Oklahoma Baptist University (3-4) 70-69, the Jarvis Christian College Bulldogs (3-1) narrowly defeated the Rams (5-3) 93-89.
 
OBU and LSUS pitted two teams who are tied for second nationally in the NAIA Preseason Coaches' Poll.  LSUS led by as many as 15 points, but had to hold off a furious OBU rally for the win.
 
Jarvis Christian used a 9-2 run midway through the first half to gain control at 42-29.  The Bulldogs went on to lead 50-43 at halftime.
 
The Rams continually chipped away at the deficit and finally took the lead, 71-69, with back-to-back three's from Dallas Jones and Jorge Redmon midway through the second half.  The lead changed hands six more times before a tip-in from Rilwan Bakare and a steal and layup from Redmon pushed the score to 88-85 favoring the Rams with 2:49 to play.
 
JCC's Jade Allen answered with a three-point play to tie the game.  Kenny Rhymes hit one-of-two at the free throw line, but the Bulldogs responded with a circus shot from Michael Love.  The Rams took the ball down one, 90-89, with 37 seconds to play, but Allen came up with a steal and a fast break layup to extend the JCC advantage.  On the ensuing Texas Wesleyan possession, Rhymes launched a three that looked good, but rimmed out with 20 seconds to play.  Allen made one-of-two free throws to seal the 93-89 win for Jarvis.
 
For the game, the Bulldogs outshot the Rams 56%-44% from the field and 40%-32% from three-point range.  The Rams also hit just 15-of-25 free throws.  Texas Wesleyan controlled the boards 48-33 while committing 16 turnovers to Jarvis' 13.
 
Five Rams reached double-figures in scoring led by Bakare's 17 point, 16 rebound effort.  Dallas Jones added 18 points.  Redmon finished with 17.  Deonte Jones added 16, and Rhymes scored 12 points.
 
Love came off the JCC bench to lead all scorers with 26 points on 9-of-11 shooting including 5-of-6 from long range.  Allen added 22 points and 10 assists for the Bulldogs.
 
The action at the Clifford Classic will continue on Saturday.  Oklahoma Baptist will take on Jarvis at 2:00 p.m. and the Rams will square off with LSU-Shreveport at 4:00 p.m.