OKLAHOMA CITY, OK: The 12th ranked Texas Wesleyan University men's basketball team (17-4, 8-2 SAC) took a convincing 91-71 win at 7th ranked Mid-America Christian University (17-5, 7-3 SAC) on Saturday. With the win, the Rams have swept the season series with MACU and taken sole possession of first place in the Sooner Athletic Conference.
Texas Wesleyan won the first meeting between these two teams 111-101 in Fort Worth way back on December 5. Both teams have had hardly a blemish since as they have gone back-and-forth in the national rankings with MACU holding the current edge and a spot in the NAIA's top-10.
As has been their M.O. of late, the Rams led nearly the entire contest. Texas Wesleyan never relinquished the lead after a jumper from
Trevon Jeffery brought the score to 7-6 in the early going. In the end, the Rams led for 37:41.
The Rams dominated the contest statistically, outshooting the Evangels 52.7% - 42.6% from the field and 41% (9-22) – 18% (3-17) from long range. Texas Wesleyan also took advantage of a 16-11 turnover margin and a 42-35 edge in rebounding.
Back-to-back three's from
Chris Gracela and
Jerell Ellis gave the Rams a double-figure advantage at 30-18. The Evangels closed the first half on an 8-3 run to get within six points (44-38) at the break.
MACU's momentum carried over into the start of the second half. A jumper from Malcolm Mann made it a one-possession game at 49-46. The Rams responded with a 22-7 run (including a 4-point play from Ellis) that left Texas Wesleyan in complete control at 71-53 with just under nine minutes to play. MACU was unable to cut into the margin, and the Rams ran away with the 91-71 win.
Ellis led all scorers with 25 points, while
Trevon Jeffery finished with 19.
Sam Akano and
Dion Rogers added 14 and 10 points respectively.
Henry Buckley continued to play well with 8 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 blocks. Gracela added a line of 5 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists.
Chris Runnels led the Evangels with 14 points. Bryon Miller and Nick Tate each scored 12, and Mann finished with 11 for MACU.
The Rams will return to action on Thursday, when they travel to Chickasha, OK, to take on the University of Science & Arts (OK). That game is scheduled for an 8:00 p.m. start. They will return to the Sid Richardson Center for Homecoming on Saturday, February 6, when they host Southwestern Christian University.
Ramblings
- Mid-America Christian continues to lead the all-time series with Texas Wesleyan, 4-2. The Rams lead the series with USAO 7-6 including a 104-87 win in Fort Worth earlier this season.
- The Rams rank in the top-10 in the NAIA in rebound margin (4th, 10.75), offensive rebounds per game (6th, 15.3), assists per game (7th, 17.9), total rebounds per game (7th, 44.15), scoring margin (10th, 12.35), and total assists (10th, 358).
- During their current 7-game winning streak, the Rams have trailed for a total of 4:23.
- The Rams have gone 9-1 in January including 6-1 on the road.
