Box Score
FORT WORTH, TX:  The Texas Wesleyan University men's basketball team (10-6, 4-3 SAC) outlasted 24th ranked Wayland Baptist University (12-3, 3-2 SAC) in a game that saw 11 ties and 15 lead changes for a 75-71 victory in the Sid Richardson Center on Thursday.
 
The reigning Sooner Athletic Conference Player of the Week, Markus Monroe started hot for the Pioneers.  Monroe poured in 10 points in the first 4:39 to stake WBU to a quick 13-7 lead.  The Rams contained Monroe for the remainder of the half and came back to tie the game at 17 with a three from Jorge Redmon. 
 
The Pioneers built an eight-point lead two more times in the first half, but the Rams responded each time and trailed by just one 37-36 at the break.
 
The second half was more of the same as the crowd watched the lead change hands 11 times while Monroe poured in 19 of his game-high 33 points.
 
Midway through the second half, Kenny Rhymes and Deonte Jones combined on a 6-1 run that gave the Rams the largest lead of the period at 67-60.  The Rams continued to lead 73-69 with just over three minutes to go.  Neither team could find the basket until WBU's Bunja Yaboe laid the ball in after an offensive board with 40 seconds to play.
 
The Pioneers got a defensive stop and called timeout with 20 seconds remaining to set up for a final shot trailing 73-71.  WBU missed on a pair of shots in the final seconds before Vernell Blackman grabbed a rebound and was fouled with 0.4 seconds remaining.  Blackman went to the line for a one-and-one and hit two clutch free throws to put the game out of reach.  WBU used both of its remaining timeouts, but could not draw out a Texas Wesleyan foul and could not get a shot off before time expired.
 
"This was another great effort from everyone on our team," commented head coach Brennen Shingleton.  "We got a stop defensively when we needed it most, and we continue to find ways to win games.  I'm proud of our progress, especially from the player leadership of our team."
 
Statistically the game was as tight as the score.  Texas Wesleyan outshot Wayland Baptist 42% - 41% from the floor.  The Rams hit nine threes to WBU's six.  The Rams also shot 76% at the free throw line while WBU shot 70%.  The Pioneers held a slim 39-35 rebounding advantage while both teams turned the ball over 17 times.
 
Redmon led the Rams with 24 points.  Deonte Jones scored 13 points while Dallas Jones added 10.  Rhymes finished with nine points and nine rebounds.
 
Monroe went 9-for-20 from the field, but drained 13-of-15 at the free throw line for 33 points.  Plamen Hristov added 10 points for WBU.
 
The Rams will return to action on Thursday, January 23, when they travel to Oklahoma City, OK, to take on Oklahoma City University.  That game is scheduled for an 8:00 p.m. start.