SHAWNEE, OK:  The 13th ranked Texas Wesleyan University men's basketball team (15-4, 6-2 SAC) took its 5th consecutive win with a 78-68 decision at St. Gregory's University (7-9, 2-6 SAC) on Saturday.
 
The Rams overcame a tough shooting night by dominating the boards, taking care of the ball, and hitting their free throws.  Texas Wesleyan committed only 9 turnovers while forcing 12.  They also won the battle-of-the-boards 46-37 and hit 24-of-29 (83%) at the charity stripe.
 
For the third consecutive game, the Rams never trailed.  Jerell Ellis started the game with a three and scored five points as the Rams started the game 7-0.  A 16-4 run capped by a Dion Rogers 3-pointer gave the Rams the largest lead of the game at 27-14 with nine minutes to play in the first half.
 
The Cavaliers regrouped and made things interesting.  Two free throws from Stephen Walter made it a one-possession game at 33-30, and the Cavliers trailed by only two (40-38) at the intermission.
 
Texas Wesleyan's lead swelled back to double-figures at 52-42 five minutes into the second half, and they matched their largest lead at 61-48 midway through the period.
 
St. Gregory's briefly threatened when five unanswered points brought the score to 67-63 with 2:02 remaining.  The Rams quickly squelched any thought of a comeback with an 8-0 run of their own to lead 75-63 on their way to the 78-68 win.
 
For the game, St. Gregory's outshot Texas Wesleyan 40% - 39%, but 24-of-29 (83%) free throw shooting and a 46-37 rebounding margin greatly aided the Rams.
 
Henry Buckley turned in a very strong line of 7 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 blocks.  Rogers led the Rams in scoring with 18 points, while Ellis finished with 17.  Sam Akano came off the bench to score 15 points, and Chris Gracela finished with 7 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 assists.
 
Stephen Walter led St. Gregory's with 20 points, while Richard Shields was the only other Cavalier in double-figures at 13 points.
 
The Rams will return to action on Thursday, January 28, when they host SAGU at the Sid Richardson Center.  That game is scheduled for an 8:00 p.m. start.
 
Ramblings

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- The Rams have not trailed in a game since the score read 5-3 at Bacone last Thursday.
 
- During their current 5-game win streak, the Rams have trailed for all of 2:16.
 
- Texas Wesleyan now leads the all-time series with St. Gregory's 6-4.  The Rams lead the all-time series with SAGU 23-9 although the Lions have won each of the last 7 meetings.
 
- Henry Buckley's 7 blocks in a game are the most by a Ram in a single game since David Johnson had 10 against Huston-Tillotson University on December 15, 2003.