OKLAHOMA CITY, OK: Just hours after jumping into the NAIA Top-25, the Texas Wesleyan University men's basketball team (7-3, 1-1 SAC) suffered its first Sooner Athletic Conference loss, a 72-67 decision at Oklahoma City University (4-1, 2-0 SAC) on Tuesday.
A boisterous Texas Wesleyan student section did all it could, but the home team still had its way in Abe Lemons Arena.
The Rams led in nearly every statistical category, but could not overcome a very tough shooting night. Texas Wesleyan led 44-34 in points in the paint, 26-16 in points off of turnovers, 21-9 in 2nd-chance points, 12-9 on the fast break, and 32-27 in bench scoring. They also held a narrow 35-33 advantage in rebounding.
However, OCU held the Texas Wesleyan to a season-low 67 points by allowing the Rams to shoot just 39.3% from the field while hitting 48.1% on their offensive end. The Rams were also unable to help themselves at the free throw line where they hit just 17-of-29 (58.6%).
The game was tight throughout the first half as the score rolled through seven ties and eight lead changes.
Eric Stubbs gave the Rams a 24-23 lead with a pair of free throws, but OCU answered with a three from Terence Bonhomme.
Dion Rogers tied the score at 26-26 with a layup. OCU answered again, this time with a triple from Jamil Donovan that gave the Stars the lead for good. The Stars scored the final five points of the first half to take what was the largest lead of the game to that point (37-31) at halftime.
OCU came roaring out of the locker room. A 10-0 run had the Rams on their heels at 47-31. The margin swelled to 20-points (57-37) midway through the second half, but the Rams were not done.
Texas Wesleyan held OCU scoreless for 5:16. Meanwhile the Rams poured in 15 consecutive points to get back in the game at 57-52 with 6:15 to play.
The margin was still five at 61-56 when a three from Bonhomme and a layup from Jonathan Reed pushed the lead right back to ten (66-56). Another three from Bonhomme kept the lead at 10, 69-59, entering the game's final minute. A very resilient Rams team fought right to the end. A three from
BJ Batts gave the Rams a chance at 70-67 with nine seconds to play, but Bonhomme was good for two at the free throw line, and the Rams could not pull off the comeback.
The Rams had only two players in double-figure scoring, led by 12 from
Trevon Jeffery.
Sam Akano added 10 points. Rogers, and
Doug Compton each had nine.
Chris Gracela had seven points and a game-high 10 rebounds.
Bonhomme led all scorers with 22 points. Lou Dunbar added 13 points for the Stars, while Noel Allen finished with 10.
The Rams will return to action in their final game of 2015 when they host No. 22 Wiley College on December 15. The Rams will attempt to avenge an 89-82 loss to the Wildcats in Marshall, TX, earlier this season. That game is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. start.
Ramblings
- Tuesday's game broke a 10-10 tie in the all-time series with Oklahoma City. The Rams are now 13-27 all-time in SAC play. Texas Wesleyan leads the all-time series with Wiley College, 24-10.
- Texas Wesleyan entered the game averaging 87.5 points per game.
