FORT WORTH, TX: The Texas Wesleyan University men's basketball team (14-8, 3-8 SAC) cut 12 points off of a late second half deficit against Wayland Baptist University (18-4, 7-4 SAC), but it was not enough as the Pioneers came away with an 80-69 win in the Sid Richardson Center on Thursday.
Wayland Baptist controlled much of the second half and had a healthy 71-53 lead with under five minutes to play. The Rams roared back to get within six at 74-68 with two minutes to go before the Pioneers righted the ship and closed out the victory.
The first half was close throughout. Texas Wesleyan led by as many as eight, 27-19, after a bucket from
Hasani Sumbry with 7:15 on the clock. Wayland closed the half with a 9-2 run sparked by a pair of dunks from Bunja Yaboe to lead 38-33 at the break.
A three from Plamen Hristov pushed the deficit to double-figures at 51-41 with 15:31 to play in the second half. The margin swelled to as many as 18 (71-53).
Five straight points from
Merv Lindsay got the Rams off the mat. Lindsay poured in eight points and
Mario Monroe added seven more (including a perfect 5-for-5 at the free throw line) during a 15-3 run that made things interesting in the last two minutes.
In those final two minutes, the Rams simply could not get a shot to fall and Wayland hit 4-of-6 at the free throw line to hold off the rally.
For the game, the Rams shot just 35.2% from the field, while Wayland hit 50% of their shots. Rebounds were nearly even at 42-41 favoring the Pioneers. Turnovers were also close at 21 for the Rams and 18 for the Pioneers.
Lindsay led all scorers with 22 points to go with 10 rebounds.
Jerrell Ellis added 13 points and eight boards. Monroe came off the bench to contribute nine points and eight boards.
Royal Crouch led the Pioneers with 21 points. Robert Waters posted a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Yaboe added 13 points and Ta'Quan McDew fnished with 11.
The Rams will return to action on Saturday, when they travel to Chickasha, OK, to take on the University of Science & Arts (OK). That game is scheduled for a 5:00 p.m. start.
Ramblings
- The Rams are 11-20 all-time in SAC Play, 18-20 against Wayland Baptist, and 6-4 against Science & Arts.
