FORT WORTH, TX: The Texas Wesleyan University women's basketball team (3-5) was narrowly defeated by Mid-America Christian University (3-3) in an 81-80 thriller at the Sid Richardson Center on Saturday.
 
The Lady Rams took to the court in the conference opener, looking to slow down a powerful Mid-America Christian team who boasts the conference leader in points per game in Kelli Tolar. Tolar is averaging 20.20 points per game in the early season. MACU came into The Sid averaging 72.6 points per game, while the Lady Rams are holding opponents to an average of 62.0 points per game through seven games.
 
The Lady Rams sprinted out to a hot start, taking control of the game with stout defense and forcing the Evangels into tough shots. Wesleyan made the first six points capped by Delana Lopez put back layup before Falesha Fuller found the bottom of the net from downtown to take a 9-2 lead two and a half minutes into the game. Tolar hit a long range jumper for MACU before the Lady Rams grabbed an 8-0 rally capped by a Lopez jumper from the elbow to make it a 26-10 lead after one quarter of play.
 
Texas Wesleyan continued to maintain a lead, and Angela Nguyen created a spark with a triple to make it a 37-22 game about midway through the second quarter. The Evangels launched shots from the three point line regularly, but failed to hit on most of them. The Lady Rams took advantage and finished the half with a healthy 48-36 lead.
 
The Rams shot 65 percent from the field in the first half of play while limiting their opponent to only 42 percent. Wesleyan absolutely dominated the boards 30-6, which helped them lead keep a lead throughout the half.
 
The Evangels got hold of a 7-2 run in the third quarter capped by a Lindsey Mann three-point shot to make it a 54-49 game. The Rams responded nicely and Katelynn Threats converted a jumper to extend the lead back out to an 11-point 60-49 advantage. Fuller got a tip-in to go before the third quarter sounder to make it a 62-49 game.
 
The Evangels cut, sliced, and chopped down the lead to start the last stanza. MACU took a 14-4 run capped by the fourth three-pointer of the run in an Alliya Spatafora triple for a 76-76 game. TWU quickly ran down the court and Threats put in a jumper to regain the lead, but Mann and the Evangels nailed another shot from beyond the arc the steal the lead at 79-78 with 2:34 Nolisa made a clutch layup to regain an 80-79 edge. The Evangels held on the ball to take the last shot. Kelli Tolar slashed her way into the lane, but some confusion on the Lady Rams side, and Tolar was fouled to force free throw shots, but it was the wrong person to foul and it was a bit too late with only two seconds on the clock. Tolar knocked down both shot from the charity stripe, and the Evangels escaped with an 81-80 win.
 
The Evangels completely overwhelmed Texas Wesleyan as the defense slowly deteriorated in fourth quarter. Mid-America Christian surged back to take the lead, mostly due to a slew of three pointers. The Rams seemed a little sluggish getting to the ball and that helped the Evangel hit 8 of 12 from behind the arc all in the final frame. Before that, they were 7-22 from three land.  In fact the Evangels converted more three pointers than two pointers in the second half. It was no surprise that the charge was led by Tolar, who finished with 32 points. Texas Wesleyan was just one step behind for most of the final quarter as MACU stepped on the gas and never let up.
 
For the game, the Rams outscored the Evangels 54 percent to 46 percent from the field. The difference was MACU going 15-33 from behind the arc, while the Rams only hit on 2 of 6 from downtown. Wesleyan also missed opportunities at the charity stripe, going 4-10 for 40 TWU also held the rebound edge, 45-27.
 
The Lady Rams were led by Nolisa who posted a Goliath type performace. She notched a double-double behind 21 points and 18 rebounds, while also tacking on six assists, four blocks, and a pair of steals on the night. Threats knocked down 21 points and seven rebounds. Lopez had a double-double in 18 points and 10 rebounds. Fuller had a 13 point, nine assist night.
 
The Lady Rams will look to break a five game losing skid on the road against seventh ranked and the defending back-to-back NAIA National Champs in Oklahoma City. That contest is set for a 6:00 pm start.