NOTE: Texas Wesleyan has forfeited this game.

FORT WORTH, TX: The Texas Wesleyan University women's basketball team (19-11, 10-8 SAC) defended home court with a 63-61 win over Southwestern Assemblies of God University (12-18, 3-15 SAC) on Senior Day at the Sid Richardson Center on Saturday.
 
Those who braved the ice and frigid winter air were treated to an exciting, hard fought game that these two teams always seem to provide.
 
Both teams battled to start the contest until a Wesleyan 9-2 run capped by an Amy Easley shot from behind the arc gave the Lady Rams a 16-8 cushion at the 12:57 mark.  Texas Wesleyan extended the lead to 28-16 on a B'ria Wagner triple to take control.
 
The Lady Lions fought back with a 7-0 rally capped by a Taylor Hill three-pointer to make it a 28-23 game with 4:31 remaining in the first half.  The teams went shot for shot for the last few minutes and the Rams took a 36-31 halftime lead.
 
Though the Lady Rams never trailed in the first half, the Lions stayed within striking distance for most of the half. TWU shot a balmy 50 percent from the floor, behind the wisdom and patience of their seniors. The Lady Lions could only muster 31 percent from the field.
 
The Rams kept their opponent at bay to start the second half, but SAGU came charging back with a 6-0 run to tie the game at 44-44. Texas Wesleyan kept the lead on a Katelynn Threats lay-in, but could not hold off the lively Lions for long. Monica Dorsey gave SAGU their first lead of the night on a layup to make it 50-49 with 8:32 left in the game.
 
The Lady Rams never panicked  and rattled off seven straight points capped by a Cheyenne Swoopes layup to push the lead back out to 56-51.  The Lions chopped down the lead again and tied the game at 59-59 with 43 seconds left.  The Lady Rams pushed the ball down the court and Easley got to the charity stripe to make it a 61-59 game with 36 second to go. The scrappy Lions found their way to the free throw line to even the game again at 61 apiece.
 
The Lady Rams raced down the court again, this time with only nine seconds on the clock. Texas Wesleyan beat the defense and Easley put in a layup at the buzzer to lift the Rams with a 63-61 win.
 
The Lady Rams had a sluggish second half shooting (37%), but capitalized on key possessions. The Lions out rebounded TWU 42-32 including a 15-5 advantage on offensive boards.  The Rams shot 45 percent from the field for the game, while SAGU shot 36 percent.
 
The Lady Rams were led by Threats, who notched 18 points and seven rebounds. Krissy Parker hit on 5 of 8 from the field for 12 points and five boards. Easley tallied 13 points and four assists. Caitlin Boal finished with six points and six rebounds. Liz Handy posted three points, five assists, and five boards.
 
The Lady Rams hold down the fourth spot in conference play and will likely start the Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament on Thursday, March 5 at Oklahoma City University.