Box Score

FORT WORTH, TX: The Texas Wesleyan University women's basketball team (8-7, 4-3 SAC) narrowly missed getting past Wayland Baptist University (6-8, 3-2 SAC) dropping a 87-80 conference clash at the Sid Richardson Center on Thursday Night.
 
The two teams battled closely the entire first half, as the score was tied six times, while the spectators enjoyed 15 lead changes. Wayland found a 12-9 lead with 12:31 remaining after a pair of free throws by Stephanie Afungo, but Takoia Larry squashed that lead with a swish beyond the arc to tie the game 12-12. Texas Wesleyan earned a slight 22-21 lead with a Krissy Parker layup. The two teams traded the lead until it seemed like Wayland Baptist would take a slight lead at the half after a Shawna Monreal three points with under a minute left to take a 40-38 lead. Not to be outdone, Maggie Briggs-Scribner brought the home crowd to their feet with a big shot from downtown at the buzzer to take a 41-40 lead at the break.
 
Wesleyan kept the shots coming to start the second half with another Larry three pointer to make it a 46-40 lead. The Lady Rams kept the lead for a spell, jumping out to a 58-50 lead with 13:32 left in the game, their largest of the night. The momentum was turned completely in favor of the Flying Queens from there, as Wesleyan could not find the basket, and Wayland ripped off a 17-0 run over a span of five minutes of game time to take a 70-58 lead. The Rams cut the lead to four after an Amy Moody shot beyond the arc to make it a 74-70 contest with less than five minutes left, but Wayland Baptist was able to hold on to the lead to take the 87-80 win.
 
TWU shot better than their opponent, going 44 percent from the field and 53 percent from downtown. The Lady Rams held Wayland to 39 percent from the field, just over there fifth ranked field goal percentage defense (.339). WBU shot only 29 percent from the three point line. The Flying Queens did shoot better from the free throw line 81 percent to 68 percent. Wayland Baptist outscored the Lady Rams in the paint 40-30 and points off the bench 40-24.
 
Moody led Wesleyan once again, playing 40 minutes while notching 19 points on 11 assists. Larry led the Rams with 23 points and eight boards. Briggs-Scribner had added her best game of the season adding nine points and seven rebounds in the effort.
 
The Lady Rams head to Oklahoma City, OK and play Oklahoma City University on Thursday, January 23. Tip-off is set for a 6:00 pm start.