FORT WORTH, TX: The 20th ranked Texas Wesleyan University men's basketball team (8-3) took an impressive 77-59 win over 22nd ranked Wiley College (7-4) at the Sid Richardson Center on Tuesday. The convincing win avenged an 89-82 loss at Wiley earlier this season.
The Rams stifled the Wildcats all night defensively. In the first half, Texas Wesleyan shot 54% from the field while holding Wiley to just 33%. Both teams started slowly, but the Rams caught fire midway through the opening period. A three from
BJ Batts followed by eight straight points from
Jerell Ellis accounted for an 11-0 run that pushed the score to 26-10.
Wiley whittled the lead all the way down to six at 34-28, but
Sam Akano scored four of the final five points of the half including a breakaway jam to close the period at 39-28.
The second half was all Texas Wesleyan. Wiley never got closer than 10 points, while the Rams led by as many as 26 (74-48).
Ellis led all scorers with 27 points while hitting 9-of-16 from the field and 6-of-8 from distance. Batts (12 points) and Akano (11 points) came off the bench to contribute double-figures in scoring.
Chris Gracela added 11 rebounds and five assists to the effort.
Wiley was led by George Page's 15 points and 9 rebounds. Christopher Tawiah finished with 11 points and Terrell Guy Jr. added 10 points.
For the game, the Rams shot 43% from the field while holding Wiley to 38%. Texas Wesleyan led 24-20 in points in the paint, 17-6 in 2nd-chance points, 19-9 on the fast break, and 31-12 in bench scoring.
The Rams will break for the Holidays and return to action on January 2, with a tune-up at the University of St. Thomas-Houston. That game is scheduled for a 7:00 p.m. start.
Ramblings
- The Rams are now 25-10 against Wiley College. They are 5-4 all-time against St. Thomas-Houston.
- Ellis' 27 points came on the heels of a career-high 34 against Mid-America Christian ten days ago.
