FORT WORTH, TX: The Texas Wesleyan University women's basketball team (1-1) could not pull off an upset of sixth ranked Wiley College (2-0), squandering a 12-point lead and taking an 80-61 loss at the Sid Richardson Center on Wednesday.
 
The Lady Wildcats started with a 4-1 lead to start the contest, but the Lady Rams did a good job of hanging with the former NAIA final four team. Carneisha Sims hit a jumper to briefly take a 9-7 lead, before Wiley made a 5-0 run to gain a 12-7 lead. The two teams took turns sharing the lead until the Wildcats hit a three to take a 20-17 lead, but Stacey Darnley sprinted down the court and answered with a shot from downtown to tie the game at 20-20 with 8:44 remaining. Wiley took another 5-0 run to make it a 25-20 game.
 
The Lady Rams turned on the jets, taking over the game in a dominating effort for the rest of the half. Texas Wesleyan played elite defense for the rest of the half, while taking a 17-0 run the started with a pair of Amy Easley free throw shots at 7:30 left. Onyesonam Nolisa gave the Rams the lead 26-25 on a suave lay in. A Caitlin Boal layup completed the run to make it a 37-25 game at the break.
 
It was a completely different game the entire second half, as the Lady Rams just did not look like the same team. Wiley College also came out with a bit more intensity, cutting the lead to a 5-point game at 43-38 four minutes into the second half. A Katelyn Threats tip-in made it a 46-38 game, but lead started to dwindle from there. The Lady Wildcats broke out a 9-0 rally to take a 48-47 lead, their first since 6:24 left in the first half.
 
Wesleyan struggled to make buckets, missing all seven of their attempts from behind the arc in the second half.  Wiley College took full advantage of the cold streak, protecting their lead with stingy possessions. The Wildcats kept extending the lead for the rest of the game, taking an 80-61 win.
 
The Wildcats shot 69 percent from the floor in the second half, while Wesleyan shot 29 percent. The Lady Rams out rebounded the Wildcats 46-40, but gave up 24 points off turnovers and 17 free throw points.
 
Sims led the Lady Rams with 16 points. Nolisa posted seven points and nine boards. Threats added 10 points.
 
The Lady Rams will look to rebound against the University of St. Thomas in the first day of the SAGU Classic Tournament on Friday, November 7. Tip-off is set for a 6:00 pm start in Waxahachie, TX.