Box Score
FORT WORTH, TX:  The Texas Wesleyan University men's basketball team (6-4, 0-1 SAC) dropped a 96-86 decision to Mid-America Christian University (5-1, 1-0 SAC) in their Sooner Athletic Conference opener on Wednesday.
 
In an odd contest, both teams enjoyed double-figure leads.  The Rams led throughout the first half.  After starting the game on a 13-4 run, a Dallas Jones basket pushed the margin to ten at 19-9.  MACU whittled the margin down to two at 36-34, but Deonte Jones and Dallas Jones answered with back-to-back three's and the Rams went on to lead 46-40 at the break.
 
The Rams shot 57.6% from the floor including 50% (6-12) from long range, but a 10-2 foul count was a telltale sign.  The Evangels stayed in the game by making 8-of-10 at the charity stripe, while the Rams were just 2-of-2.
 
In the second half, the Rams enjoyed their largest lead of the game at 66-54.  MACU went on a 13-2 run to get within a point at 68-67.  Dallas Jones once again had an answering three, but the Evangels would not go away.  After a Jorge Redmon jumper pushed the score to 77-74, Fort Worth native Semar Farris tied the game with a three.  The Evangels took their first lead of the game on their next possession with an offensive put-back from Josh Minner.
 
A layup from Minner later capped off a 34-15 stretch that left MACU with an 88-81 lead.  The Rams cut the margin to five, 90-85, entering the final two minutes, but a three-pointer from Reggie Davis that just beat the shot clock proved to be a dagger as the Evangels went on to notch the 96-86 win.
 
Both teams shot 50.7% from the field.  The Evangels hit at a 47.4% (9-19) clip from distance, while the Rams were 10-of-22 (45.5%) from three-point range.  Texas Wesleyan led 38-34 in rebounding.  The Evangels enjoyed a 17-11 turnover margin, but that translated to only a 19-14 margin in points off of turnovers.  The difference in the game came at the free throw line where MACU hit 17-of-22 (77.3%), while the Rams attempted just 10 free throws (8-10 for 80%).
 
Four Rams reached double-figures in scoring, led by Redmon's 25.  Rilwan Bakare added 21 points and eight rebounds.  Deonte Jones finished with 16 points, and Dallas Jones added 12.
 
Farris enjoyed his homecoming with a game-high 32 points to go with seven assists.  Angelo Lewis added 18 points for the Evangels.
 
Weather permitting, the Rams will travel to Shawnee, OK, on Saturday, to take on Oklahoma Baptist University.  Stay tuned to www.ramsports.net for any schedule changes.