DALLAS, TX: The Texas Wesleyan University men's basketball team (6-0) breezed to an 85-59 win at Paul Quinn College (2-7) on Saturday.
Paul Quinn, who played the contest with only five players, used a game plan of slowing down and limiting the number of possessions in the game to stay within striking distance into the early stages of the second half. However, the Rams used 31 fast break points to overwhelm the Tigers.
After the Tigers whittled the margin down to just four points, 46-42, the Rams ripped off 10 unanswered points in just over three minutes. A three from Jalen Johnson broke up the run, but the Rams went right back to work and put the game out of reach with a 12-0 run capped by a layup from
Chris Gracela that brought the score to 67-45.
The Rams went on to lead by as many as 29 on their way to the easy 85-59 win.
The Rams shot 62% from the floor in the game, including an outstanding 64.5% (20-31) in the second half. Meanwhile the Rams limited five Quinnites to just 37% shooting. Texas Wesleyan won the battle-of-the-boards 41-20.
Merv Lindsay and
Sam Akano led the Rams with 19 points apiece. Akano added 13 rebounds to his effort, while Lindsay grabbed six boards and dished out five assists.
Jerrell Ellis posted 15 points off of the Texas Wesleyan bench.
Johnson led the Tigers with 17 points including 4-of-6 shooting from long range.
The Rams will host the Texas Wesleyan Classic next Friday and Saturday. The action will tip at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, when Oklahoma Baptist takes on Dillard University. The Rams will then take on Texas College at 7:30 p.m.
Ramblings
- The Rams are 24-7 all-time vs. Paul Quinn and 27-4 against Texas College.
- 6-0 is the best start for Texas Wesleyan since the 2010-11 team went 11-0 to start the season.
