SILOAM SPRINGS, AR: The Texas Wesleyan University women's basketball team (17-9, 8-6 SAC) suffered a 65-59 set-back against John Brown University (10-15, 5-9 SAC) at Bill George Arena on Saturday.  
 
The Rams and Golden Eagles spent about a minute testing each other before Stacy Darnley threw down the first points of the game with a jumper at the 19:08 mark. John Brown immediately answered with a three pointer, but the defensive struggle continued as five minutes into the contest the score was knotted up at 5-5. The Golden Eagles posted a 7-0 run that ate up over three minutes to take a 17-12 edge with 8:48 left in the first half.
 
JBU took advantage and continued to build a lead, enjoying an 18-point, 36-18 lead on a Morgan Ankrom triple with 2:32 left in the half. The Lady Rams could not make up much ground, trailing 38-23 at the break.
 
Texas Wesleyan tried to force their dominance in the paint in the second half, and Katelynn Threats did her part to cut into the lead with some strong play. Threats put in a layup to spark and 12-4 rally capped by a Carneisha Sims mid-range jumper to cut the lead to 44-40 with 11:04 remaining in the game.
 
John Brown regrouped and slowly built the lead back up to double digits with a Tristan Carrasquillo with a jumper that made it a 58-45 lead. Darnley fired back with a triple that gave Wesleyan their second wind. The Rams pushed back with a 12-1 rally highlighted by an Onyesonam Nolisa steal and fast break layup, and capped by a Threats bucket in the lane to get within striking distance at 59-57 with 1:05 left in regulation.
 
The Golden Eagles got to the line to put in a pair of free throws, but Threats again came up with a clutch move inside for two to keep the game close at 61-59 with 50 seconds to go. Texas Wesleyan took a timeout to get on the same page. Coming out of the timeout the Lady Rams forced a turnover, but then could not hang on to the ball on the offensive end themselves. TWU had to foul to preserve the clock, but the John Brown defense held up just enough to outlast the Rams.
 
The Golden Eagles went 43 percent from the field, while the Lady Rams shot 33 percent. JBU held the edge in rebounding, 39-37. Wesleyan tallied 15 steals as a team, and posted 20 points off 25 John Brown turnovers.
 
Darnley led the Lady Rams with 20 points. Threats had 14 points and nine boards in the game. Nolisa posted five points, six rebounds, four steals, and two blocks for Wesleyan.
 
The Lady Rams will look to get back on track with a game against Southwestern Christian University on Thursday, February 19. That contest is set for a 6:00pm start in the Sid Richardson Center.