FORT WORTH, TX: The Texas Wesleyan University women's basketball (6-4, 0-1 SAC) took an 84-69 loss to defending NAIA national champion Oklahoma City University (4-1, 1-0 SAC) at the Sid Richardson Center on Thursday.
 
The Stars started with a 12-2 burst, capped by a three pointer just three minutes into the ball game.  Onyesonam Nolisa responded with a block and went coast to coast for a layup to make it 12-7. The Stars smothered the Rams, building a 19-point, 29-10 lead midway through the first half.  Texas Wesleyan fought back with a ferocious 13-0 rally after a pair of Kashyla Fields three pointers and capped by two Caitlin Boal free throw shots to make it a 29-23 game. Oklahoma City responded, bouncing back to lead by as much as 20 points before taking a 51-35 lead into the break.
 
The Stars shot 46 percent from the floor, while the Rams managed 29 percent. The Lady Rams committed 14 turnovers in the first half, while the Stars shared the ball with 14 assists as a team. OCU outscored the Rams 19-5 on fast break opportunities, and outscored Wesleyan 30-14 in the paint.
 
The Lady Rams played a very impressive second half against the top ranked team, making the Stars sweat. TWU posted a 6-0 rally capped by a Fields triple to cut the lead to 55-43.  Texas Wesleyan kept the pressure on with overwhelming defense, resulting in a 10-2 run capped by an Amy Easley pull up jumper to cut the lead to 58-53.  Oklahoma City put in a three pointer to make it 61-53, but the Lady Rams did not waiver. Wesleyan rattled off a 5-0 run capped by a Nolisa lay-in to tighten the game at 61-53 with 10:50 left in the contest.
 
The Stars struggled, but weathered the Wesleyan storm maintaining a slight advantage. Oklahoma City slowly built a comfortable lead, finding the net to make it 75-65 with five minutes left. The Lady Rams battled, but the Stars left the Sid Richardson Center with an 84-69 win.
 
Texas Wesleyan shot a much better 46 percent from the floor, and only committed four turnovers in the second half. The Lady Rams also moved the ball around the offensive side of the court with great poise and accuracy.
 
The Rams shot 37 percent from the floor for the game, while the Stars shot 46 percent. TWU was out rebounded 46-39. The Rams posted seven blocks as a team.
 
Nolisa led the Rams with 19 points, 10 boards, and four blocks. Stacey Darnley notched 12 points. Fields had 12 points in the loss. Katelynn Threats tallied nine points and 10 rebounds on the night.
 
The Lady Rams will travel to Bethany, OK for a meeting with Southwestern Christian University on Saturday, December 6 at 3:00 pm.