Box Score
SHAWNEE, OK:  The Texas Wesleyan University women's basketball team (4-5, 1-1 SAC) earned its first ever Sooner Athletic Conference victory with an 87-73 win at St. Gregory's University (1-7, 0-2 SAC) on Saturday.
 
Texas Wesleyan joined the SAC this season after 11 seasons in the Red River Athletic Conference.  The Lady Rams rode an outstanding shooting night to the easy win.  At 57.7% from the floor, Texas Wesleyan had its highest shooting percentage of the season.  The Rams also drained 6-of-11 (54.5%) three-point attempts and shot 80.8% (21-26) at the free throw line.  All of that added up to a season-high 87 points.
 
The Lady Rams quickly doubled up the Cavaliers at 16-8.  SGU scored seven unanswered points to keep things close, but Takoia Larry later hit a pair of three's during an 8-1 run that put the Rams in charge at 34-28.  Texas Wesleyan shot 60% in the first half and led 47-40 at the break.
 
The Rams scored the first nine points of the second half to stretch the lead out to 56-40.  A three-pointer from Kashay Barnes gave the Rams their largest lead of the game at 68-50.  That margin held at 72-54 when SGU made a run.  The Cavaliers went on an 11-2 run to cut the lead to single-digits with 3:41 to play, but Caitlin Boal ended the run with an offensive board and put-back.  From there, Texas Wesleyan held off the Cavaliers on their way to the 87-73 win.
 
"The girls did a great job of executing on offense which led to our best shooting night of the year," commented head coach Bill Franey.  "Everyone is delighted to earn our first Sooner Conference win."
 
Five Lady Rams reached double-figures in scoring, led by Boal and Kayla McCray who had matching lines of 19 points and seven rebounds.  Barnes and Larry each added 15 points.  Larry also notched six assists against no turnovers.  ToiEasha Cooper finished with 12 points, five rebounds, three assists, and two steals.
 
St. Gregory's was led by Kylee Tatum's 25 point effort.
 
The Rams will return to action on Monday, when they travel to Georgetown, TX, to take on Southwestern University.  That game is scheduled for a 5:00 p.m. start.