SHAWNEE, OK: The Texas Wesleyan University men's basketball team (15-16) suffered a 103-76 loss at host Oklahoma Baptist University in the Sooner Athletic Conference tournament on Wednesday.
Topping a team that entered this season with very high expectations on its home court in the postseason proved to be a very tall order. The Bison were the preseason favorite to win the SAC and were rated second nationally in the preseason poll. In the regular season the Rams split a pair of matchups with OBU as each team defended its home court.
On Wednesday, the Bison opened an insurmountable lead by holding Texas Wesleyan to just 22% shooting in the first half. Meanwhile the Bison knocked down 56% of their shots and steadily pulled away to lead 49-21 at the half.
The Rams recovered to shoot 56% from the field in the second half including an efficient 4-for-9 (44%) from long range, but the Bison were able to cruise to the 103-76 win.
For the game, OBU shot 54% from the field, 52% from long range, and 80% at the free throw line. Texas Wesleyan managed 41% from the field, 25% from range, and 67% at the line.
Senior guard
Jorge Redmon closed his TWU career with a 30-point effort.
Dallas Jones added 17 points and completed his two-year career at Texas Wesleyan with 972 points.
Kenny Rhymes added 10 points for the Rams.
OBU was led by Tyler Davis who went for a game-high 35 points while nailing 9-of-14 three-point attempts. Aaron Abram posted 19 points, while Kendall Parks finished with eight points and 19 assists.
"I'm terribly disappointed with how this season ended," commented head coach Brennen Shingleton, "but I'm proud of who these guys are as young men. They all have bright futures. Our seniors invested in Texas Wesleyan, and I hope they take advantage of this experience on and off the court moving forward in their post college basketball lives. For our team moving forward, we were an inconsistent basketball team this season and we have a lot to work on."
The loss ends the Rams' season at 15-16 overall. The team, which featured a pair of All-Conference selections in Redmon and Jones, delighted the home crowd with an impressive 12-6 record in the Sid Richardson Center.
