FORT WORTH, TX: The 12th ranked Texas Wesleyan University men's basketball team (16-4, 7-2 SAC) took an 84-76 win over 20th ranked Southwestern Assemblies of God University (14-7, 5-4 SAC) at the Sid Richardson Center on Saturday.
When SAGU snared an early 8-7 lead it snapped a remarkable streak for Texas Wesleyan. That was the first time the Rams had trailed in a game in 160 minutes and 13 seconds of game time. The last time they were on the short end of the scoreboard it was 5-3 at Bacone College on January 14.
In the end, the Rams trailed for only 47 seconds on Thursday although that stat does not do justice to a feisty SAGU team.
The Rams quickly took control after a
Jerell Ellis 3-pointer pushed the score to 16-8. The lead swelled to double-figures at 35-25 with just over three minutes to play in the first half, but the Lions scored the last six points of the period and trailed just 35-31 at the intermission.
The Rams were hot out of the locker room. A quick 15-6 run in the first five minutes put Texas Wesleyan in command at 50-37. They took the largest lead of the game at 66-49 (17-points) with 7:43 on the clock.
At that point, SAGU Coach Donnie Bostwick made an adjustment. The Lions began applying full court pressure and increased the pace of the game. The pressure caused only minor irritation for the Rams, but it did created more possessions in the game for the Lions.
The Rams countered with red-hot shooting and another excellent night at the free throw line. Texas Wesleyan was 68.2% from the field and 85.7% at the free throw line in the second half.
The Lions did manage to make things interesting down the stretch. A 9-2 run cut the margin to five at 78-73 with 1:58 to play. After a pair of free throws from
Dion Rogers,
Henry Buckley came up with his sixth block of the game.
Sam Akano then hit Ellis with a full-court pass for a fast break layup that all but put the game away.
Both teams made 29 baskets in the game, but the Rams were an efficient 29-58 (50%) while the Lions were just 29-76 (38.2%). The Rams also shot 87% (20-23) at the free throw line, while the Lions shot just 50% (5-10) at the line.
SAGU's high pressure defense caused the Rams to commit 21 turnovers, but they did not shoot well enough to take advantage of a 21-14 turnover margin. The Lions outscored the Rams just 26-21 in points off of turnovers. Texas Wesleyan also won the battle-of-the-boards 45-36.
Ellis led all scorers with 24 points. Buckley turned in an impressive line of 13 points, 10 rebounds and 6 blocks. Rogers added 18 points, and
Sam Akano compiled 8 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 assists.
Keyunta Watkins led SAGU with 21 points, while Rishaad Alexander finished with 17. Isaak Rowe (15) and Jason Gentry (11) also scored in double-figures for the Lions.
The Rams will return to action with another big game on Saturday when they travel to Oklahoma City, OK, to take on 7th ranked Mid-America Christian University.
Ramblings
- During their current 6-game winning streak the Rams have trailed for a total of 3:01.
- The Rams lead the all-time series with SAGU 24-9. The Lions had won 7 in a row against the Rams coming into Thursday's action.
- The Rams trail the all-time series with MACU 4-1 including a 111-101 Texas Wesleyan victory in the Sid Richardson Center in December.
