CHICKASHA, OK: The Texas Wesleyan University men's basketball team (14-9, 3-9 SAC) overcame a 16-point first-half deficit before succumbing 86-80 at the University of Science & Arts (6-13, 5-7 SAC) on Saturday.
The Drovers ran out to an 18-7 lead six minutes into the game. The margin swelled to 16 points at 32-16 and remained so at 43-27 with 4:00 to play.
The Rams began to chip away before the end of the half. A three from
Doug Compton sparked a quick 8-1 run that sliced the deficit down to single-digits at 44-35 entering the final minute. USAO's Cameron King made one-of-two at the free throw line and
Sam Akano closed the half with a layup to bring the score to 45-37 at the intermission.
The Drovers outshot the Rams 51%-44% in the first half, but Akano poured in 21 points on 9-of-12 shooting to keep the Rams in the contest.
Akano started the second half with another layup and later nailed a three to bring the Rams back within a bucket at 50-48. The Rams then forced a turnover, and
Merv Lindsay scored on a layup to tie the game with 16:23 to play.
The Rams forced a tie score three more times, but each time USAO had an answer. Three free throws from
Teyvon Lundy tied the game at 68-68 with just over seven minutes on the clock, but the Drovers went on a 9-2 run to take control at 77-70.
Two more free throws from Lundy cut the score to 82-80 with 40 seconds to play. The Drovers made 1-of-2 free throws, but USAO's Jerry Coriolan came up with a huge steal with 16 seconds to play. The Rams fouled, Coriolan made one more free throw to make it a two possession game (84-80), and the Drovers went on to win 86-80.
For the game, the Drovers shot 50% from the field while the Rams shot 49% (56% in the second half). USAO benefitted from 28 Texas Wesleyan fouls. The Drovers hit 29-of-42 free throws, while USAO was called for just 17 fouls and the Rams hit 15-of-25 free throw attempts.
USAO led 43-28 on the boards, and 19-10 in second chance points.
Akano led all scorers with a career-high 37 points on 14-of-20 shooting including 5-of-6 from long range. Lundy and
Jerrell Ellis finished with 13 points apiece.
Ed'Lexus Collier led the Drovers with 20 points and nine rebounds. Brendan Chapman added 19 points, and Coriolan scored 11 points.
The Rams will return home on Thursday, when they host St. Gregory's University in Sooner Athletic Conference action. That game is scheduled for an 8:00 p.m. start in the Sid Richardson Center.
Ramblings
- The Rams are 11-21 all-time in SAC play, 6-5 vs. USAO, and 4-4 against St. Gregory's.
- Akano ranks 6th in the NAIA with 461 points this season.
- The Rams have had four 30+ point games this season, two by Akano and two by Ellis.
