WAXAHACHIE, TX: The Texas Wesleyan University men's basketball team (14-6, 3-6 SAC) suffered a 77-69 loss at Southwestern Assemblies of God University (15-6, 5-4 SAC) in Sooner Athletic Conference Competition on Thursday.
The game was tied at 63-63 with 4:23 to play, but the Lions got a pair of three's from Tyler Guidry and another from Rishaad Alexander during an 11-3 run that swung the game to SAGU.
The Lions, who have been ranked as high as 23rd this season and were receiving votes in the latest NAIA Coaches' Poll, held the Rams to just 33% shooting in the first half. A 7-0 start quickly turned into a 10-point lead at 18-8 in the opening minutes.
SAGU took the largest lead of the game at 36-20 with 3:50 to play in the first half. The Rams got off the mat and scored 10 unanswered points to close the gap to 36-30 before going to the locker room down 40-30.
Momentum stayed with the Rams out of the break. A three from
Sam Akano sparked a 13-0 run that got the Rams within a point, 44-43, with 15:19 to play. A pair of SAGU three's put the Lions back in charge, but the Rams continued to chip away and a three from
Merv Lindsay tied the game at 55-55 midway through the period.
A three-point play from Akano put the Rams on top (58-55), but Caleb Feemster answered with a trey. The game rolled through three more ties before the three's began to rain again for SAGU.
A three from
Jerrell Ellis made it a five-point game, 74-69, with 1:36 to play, but Jonathan Walter grabbed a huge offensive rebound and scored on SAGU's next possession. The Rams then tried a three that didn't go, and Marcus Price capped the scoring at 77-69 with one-of-two at the free throw line.
Both teams shot 40% from the field in the game. The Rams hit 73% (19-26) of their free throws while sending SAGU to the line only 8 times where they went 4-8. Beyond the arc, SAGU benefitted from 13 three-pointers, while the Rams were good on just 6-of-20 (30%).
Lindsay led all scorers with 24 points to go with eight rebounds. Ellis added 16 points, and Akano finished with 15.
Six Lions hit at least one three in the game. Alexander led the way with 16 points and nine assists while hitting 4-of-6 from beyond the arc. Guidry added 15 points, Jason Gentry 13 points, and Walter eight points and 15 rebounds.
The Rams will return to action on Saturday, when they travel to Oklahoma City, OK, to take on Oklahoma City University. That SAC contest is scheduled for a 5:00 p.m. start.
Ramblings
- The Rams are 11-18 all-time in SAC play and 9-9 vs. Oklahoma City.
- The Rams have dominated the all-time series with SAGU, 23-8, but the Lions have dominated lately with six straight wins.
- The Rams played only three subs on Thursday, who combined for just four points.
- Texas Wesleyan has held a lead in the second half of all but two games this season.
