SHAWNEE, OK: The Texas Wesleyan University men's basketball team (15-12, 4-12 SAC) suffered a 92-66 loss at Oklahoma Baptist University (18-10, 7-9) in Sooner Athletic Conference play on Saturday.
The Rams played a strong first half, but simply could not stop the Bison on their home floor in the second half.
Texas Wesleyan fell behind 9-0 and then 14-2.
Jerrell Ellis scored seven of the Rams first nine points and a three from the junior guard sparked a run of 16 unanswered points that left the Rams with a 22-16 lead midway through the half.
Cale Jackson got the Bison back on track with a three, but the Rams still led until a three-point play from Chandler Ricky tied the game at 27-27 with 4:27 to play. The Bison pushed out to a 41-31 lead, but
Sam Akano closed the half with a three to send the game to intermission at 41-34.
The Rams held the Bison to 48% shooting in the first half while hitting 54.5% on their own end. Ellis poured in 15 points in the period, while
Sam Akano scored 12.
In the second half, Oklahoma Baptist overwhelmed Texas Wesleyan with 62.5% shooting from the field in addition to hitting 5-of-10 from downtown and 16-of-19 (84.2%) at the free throw line.
OBU led by as many as 29 on their way to the 92-66 win.
Akano led the Rams with 20 points, while Ellis finished with 19.
Merv Lindsay added 10 points and five rebounds to the effort, and
Hasani Sumbry contributed eight points in 14 minutes.
Ty Allen led all scorers with 32 points. Bryon Miller posted a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds. DJ Hervy (13), Jackson (11), and Rickey (11) all scored in double-figures for OBU as well.
The Rams will return to action on Thursday, when they host Mid-America Christian University in Sooner Athletic Conference play. That game is scheduled for an 8:00 p.m. start in the Sid Richardson Center.
Ramblings
- Next Saturday, February 28, is both Homecoming and Senior Day as the Rams host Southwestern Assemblies of God University at 3:00 p.m. (women's game) and 5:00 p.m. (men's game).
- Allen's 32 points are second only to Southwestern Adventist's JaCoby Hardin-Crawford's 35 amongst Texas Wesleyan opponents this season.
- The Rams are 6-11 all-time vs. Oklahoma Baptist.
- The Rams are 0-3 all-time vs. Mid-America Christian although the last meeting was taken by a score of 83-81 on a buzzer beater by MACU's Semar Farris earlier this season.
