FORT WORTH, TX: The Texas Wesleyan University men's basketball team (2-0) delighted the home crowd at the Sid Richardson Center by taking a convincing 81-57 win over Paul Quinn College (2-1) on Monday.
The Rams ran out to a 10-2 lead behind three-pointers from
Sam Akano and
Merv Lindsay. Midway through the first half, a 10-0 run capped by a jumper from Akano pushed the score to 29-12. That margin swelled to as many as 25 points (41-16), and the Rams went to the locker room with a healthy 45-21 advantage.
After hitting 17-of-35 (48.6%) from the field in the first half, the Rams put up exactly the same total in the second half.
A three and a pair of fast break layups from
Teyvon Lundy as well as two fast break jams from Akano highlighted a 15-6 run that left the Rams with their largest lead of the game at 68-34. From there the Rams cruised to the 81-57 win.
For the game the Rams outshot the Tigers 48.6% - 34.4% from the field. The Rams hit 6-of-17 (35%) from long range in the first half, but just 1-of-8 in the second half. Texas Wesleyan also dominated the glass 52-35 and torched the Tigers 32-8 on the fast break.
"I'm glad we won. That's why we play, but our approach wasn't what it needed to be today," said head coach
Brennen Shingleton. "We were tremendously sloppy and careless with the ball. We need to develop patterns of concentration and not just play the game. This is a new team developing chemistry and leadership. We will continue to work and try to be the best version of this team we can be."
Akano led the Rams with 21 points on 9-of-17 shooting. Lindsay added a double-double on 12 points and 12 assists.
Sean McLean had 13 points, and
Jerrell Ellis finished with 10.
Hasani Sumbry contributed three points, four boards, and five blocked shots.
Jesse Williams paced the Tigers with 19 points and 10 rebounds. DeWayne Bowden added 16 points, and Jalen Johnson finished with 14.
The Rams will return to action on Friday, when they travel to San Marcos, TX, to take on NCAA Division I Sun Belt Conference member Texas State University in an exhibition contest. That game is scheduled for a 7:00 p.m. start.
Ramblings
- Five blocked shots matches the highest single game total for a Ram since Chris Angsomwine on Feb. 27 2012.
- The Rams are now 23-7 all-time vs. Paul Quinn. They are 3-6 all-time against Texas State.
