Box Score

WAXAHACHIE, TX:  The Texas Wesleyan University men's basketball team (13-11, 6-8 SAC) came within a possession of tying fourth ranked Southwestern Assemblies of God University (20-4, 12-2 SAC) in the final seconds before surrendering 77-74 on Saturday in the Schaefer Center. 
 
The Rams kept things close early on, but the highly touted Lions used a 10-4 run midway through the first half to gain some separation.  SAGU held the Rams to just 32% shooting in the first half, and took a healthy 47-31 lead into the break.
 
The Rams cleaned things up in the second half, hitting at a 48.5% clip and dominating the paint to get back in the contest.
 
SAGU held its largest lead of the game at 57-39, but the Rams ripped off 10 unanswered points to close the gap to eight points with 12:36 to play.  The margin swelled back to 16 points, 69-53, but the Rams put together another run.  Dallas Jones threw in seven points during an 11-0 run that brought the score to 69-64 with 4:37 on the clock.
 
Entering the final two minutes of regulation, Kenny Rhymes drained a three that made it a one-possession game at 72-69.  SAGU led 74-70 with 44 seconds to play.  The Rams went inside to Rilwan Bakare for a score and fouled Emmanuel Adoyi with eight seconds to play.  Adoyi pushed the score to 76-72 with a pair of free throws.  Bakare scored again with six seconds to play and was fouled, but his bonus shot did not go.  The Rams fouled immediately, and Caleb Feemster left the door open with one-of-two free throws; however, the Rams could not get a look at the basket as time expired.
 
"We fought harder in the second half than we have played all year," said head coach Brennen Shingleton.  "It was a tough environment against a great team.  The guys we had on the court in the second half really fought their tails off, and I'm proud of them.  We will continue to get better and try to make a push toward the end of the conference season."
 
For the game, the Rams outshot the Lions 40.6%-36.9%.  Both teams hit 16-of-32 at the free throw line.  Texas Wesleyan made up for a 16-7 turnover margin by dominating the glass, 56-37.  The Rams led 28-14 in points in the paint, but SAGU hit 13 three-pointers on a whopping 37 attempts to TWU's 6-of-18.
 
Dallas Jones led all scorers with 23 points to go with seven rebounds.  Rhymes filled the statsheet with 19 points, 17 rebounds, five assists, a block and a steal.  Bakare added 14 points and seven rebounds.
 
Dominique Rambo led four Lions in double-figure scoring with 18 points to go with nine rebounds.  Jonathan Walter added 16 points, while Adoyi and Caleb Feemster each posted 13 points.
 
The Rams will return to action on Thursday, when they travel to Siloam Springs, AR, to take on John Brown University.  That game is scheduled for an 8:00 p.m. start.