FORT WORTH, TX: The Texas Wesleyan University men's basketball team (4-0) remained unbeaten with a 77-69 win over Texas College (1-3) at the Sid Richardson Center on Thursday.
The Steers proved to be a handful in the first half. TC held the Rams to 35% shooting in the period and led by as many as eight (29-21). A three-point play from
Sam Akano sparked the Rams who closed to within a point on two occasions down the stretch and went to the locker room trailing just 33-32.
That momentum carried over in the second half, where the Rams scored the first nine points of the game. A fast break layup from
Chris Gracela topped that 9-0 run to give the Rams a 41-33 lead.
The Rams were able to hold the Steers at arm's length for the remainder of the period. Texas Wesleyan took its largest lead at 65-54 with 4:08 to play on the way to the 77-69 win.
Sam Akano led the Rams with an impressive line of 18 points, 16 rebounds, and 8 assists. Gracela also notched a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds.
Jerell Ellis finished with 15 points, while
Dion Rogers added 9 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists in his Texas Wesleyan debut.
The Steers were led by Yuri Nzeusseu's 15 points and 6 rebounds. Dezmond Biggurs added 14 points for Texas College.
For the game, the Steers outshot the Rams 43%-40% from the field. The Rams dominated the glass 56-30 including a 19-4 count in offensive rebounds. That led to a 17-6 margin in second chance points. The Rams also led 21-8 on the fast break and 40-30 in points in the paint. Texas College was unable to help itself at the free throw line where they hit just 12-of-23 (52%). The Rams meanwhile were 19-of-28 (68%) at the line.
The Rams will return to the court on Saturday, when they host the University of St. Thomas-Houston. That game is scheduled for a 2:00 p.m. start in the Sid Richardson Center.
Ramblings
- The Rams are no 29-4 all-time against Texas College. They lead the all-time series with St. Thomas-Houston 5-4.
- The Rams have five players averaging over 10 points per game, while
Sam Akano (22.3) and
Jerell Ellis (21.3) are averaging over 20.
- Gracela is averaging a double-double at 10.3 points and 12.3 rebounds per game through four games.
