Box Score

SILOAM SPRINGS, AR:  The Texas Wesleyan University men's basketball team (13-12, 6-9 SAC) suffered an 81-70 loss at John Brown University (16-9, 6-9 SAC) on Thursday.
 
The Rams came out hot, shooting 54% from the floor including 42% from long range and a near perfect 5-for-6 at the free throw line in the first half.  Texas Wesleyan raced out to a 13-3 lead and did not look back in the first half.  A Jorge Redmon three pointer gave the Rams their largest lead of the game at 35-20 with 3:55 to play.  The Golden Eagles closed the half on a 9-2 run, but Texas Wesleyan led 40-34 heading into the break.
 
In the second half, JBU got to the free throw line at will.  The Golden Eagles hit 22 of a whopping 30 attempts at the line in the period.  Scoring 22 points with the clock stopped keyed JBU's rally.
 
After a triple from Deonte Jones, the Rams led 47-40.  JBU closed to 49-47 with a bucket from Gilbert Gyamfi and then took their first lead of the game with a three pointer from Kofi Joshephs.  The teams went back-and-forth for the next four minutes.  A three-point play from Kenny Rhymes put the Rams on top 56-53, but John Brown went on an 11-4 run that gave them the lead for good.
 
The Rams cut the margin down to five points on several occasions, but could never reclaim the momentum.
 
Both teams shot 42% from the field in the game.  Both teams hit seven three-pointers (TWU 7-for-22, and JBU 7-for-19).  John Brown dominated the glass40-27, but the Rams won the turnover battle 12-10.  The difference came at the free throw line where John Brown hit 32-of-42 attempts (76%).  Texas Wesleyan shot 77% at the line, but that amounted to just 13-of-17.
 
"We are a frustrated group right now," commented head coach Brennen Shingleton, "but we will stick together, stay positive, and keep fighting.  This is a good team and they are really starting to figure things out.  We are in the toughest conference in America and there are no nights off, so our margin for error is zero, but we will figure it out and get this right.  Our guys have no quit in them."
 
Five Rams scored in double-figures.  Redmon led the way with 16 points.  Deonte and Dallas Jones each finished with 15.  Rhymes added 11 points and nine boards.  Vernell Blackman contributed 10 points and seven boards.
 
Gyamfi and Josephs did the heavy lifting for the Golden Eagles, scoring 28 and 22 points respectively.  Kurtis Phillips added a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds.
 
The Rams will return to action on Saturday, when they host St. Gregory's University on Homecoming at the Sid Richardson Center.  Fans are encouraged to wear pink in support of the fight against breast cancer. Game time is set for 5:00 p.m.