Box Score
CEDAR HILL, TX:  The Texas Wesleyan University men's basketball team (8-6, 2-3 SAC) took a 74-72 win in a very tightly officiated contest at Northwood University (1-9, 0-5 SAC) on Saturday.
 
The two teams were whistled for 69 infractions in the contest and shot a combined 80 free throws.  Although neither team could get any rhythm going offensively and Northwood was awarded 45 foul shots to Texas Wesleyan's 35, the Rams took advantage of the situation by shooting a salty 80% at the line.  Texas Wesleyan knocked down 28 of their 35, while Northwood made just 26-of-45 for 57.8%.
 
Northwood had the hot hand early.  The Knights took their largest lead of the game at 18-10 seven minutes into the game.  Isaiah Jay scored a layup with 1:07 on the clock that brought the Rams within a point at 32-31.  After the Knights hit one-of-two at the line, Hasani Sumbry scored off a feed from Jervon Hooks to tie the game.  The Knights again made one-of-two on their end, and Jorge Redmon closed the half with a layup that gave Texas Wesleyan the lead at 35-34.
 
The second half really bogged down with a multitude of fouls.  At one point 13 of 14 consecutive possessions featured an official's whistle.  The Rams remained hot at the line, hitting 20-of-25 in the second half.  A pair from Jazz Holman gave TWU its largest lead of the game at 66-60 with 4:46 to play.
 
With 32 seconds to play, Dallas Jones was good on a pair of free throws to push the score to 73-68.  Northwood's Everett Pleasant made one-of-two at the line on the following possession.  With 13 seconds to play, the Knights forced a 10-second violation to get the ball back.  BJ Dale took the inbound pass from Chace Franklin and knocked down a three-pointer that made it a one-point game at 73-72 with 11 seconds to play.
 
Northwood fouled immediately and Deonte Jones hit the second of two free throws to bring the score to 74-72.  As time expired, Pleasant drove to the basket but could not convert what would have been a game-tying attempt.
 
For the game, the Rams shot 40% from the field while holding Northwood to 39%.  The Rams led 39-30 in rebounding and outscored the Knights 30-14 in the lane.
 
Dallas Jones led the Rams with 21 points and six rebounds.  Redmon added 13 points in the win.
 
Pleasant led all scorers with 25 points.  Dale and Jerrick Massenburge each scored 13 for Northwood.
 
The Rams will return home on Monday, when they host the University of Science & Arts (OK).  That game is scheduled for an 7:30 p.m. start in the Sid Richardson Center.