FORT WORTH, TX: The Texas Wesleyan University women's basketball team (6-6, 1-2) dropped conference opponent University of Science and Arts (OK) (1-6, 0-2 SAC) in a 69-61 win at the Sid Richardson Center on Thursday.
 
The Lady Rams started things off with an Onyesonam Nolisa jumper that spurred an 8-0 rally highlighted by Leila Jdily-Ezzad slashing through the paint for a layup to make it 10-2 lead midway through the first quarter. Katelynn Threats kept the Drovers at bay with a long range jumper from just inside the baseline for a 19-14 edge late in the quarter. The Lady Rams ended the quarter up 23-14.
 
The Drovers chopped the lead down to 25-22 with a Mahogany Nelms jumper midway through second quarter, but Wesleyan responded nicely with an 8-0 rally capped by a Breanna Burton triple to jump back out to an 11-point, 33-22 lead in a span of just over a minute of game time. USAO made up some ground, but still trailed 35-28 at halftime.
 
The Lady Rams shot 43 percent from the field in the first half, controlling the momentum of the game from the tip and holding their opponent to only 31 percent from the floor.
 
The Drovers kept close tabs on the Lady Rams the entire third quarter, cutting the lead to a one-point 45-44 deficit on a Nelms three-pointer that capped an 8-2 Drover run. The Rams answered with an Alycia Louallen gem from downtown to keep Texas Wesleyan with a 48-44 edge heading into the final frame.
 
Louallen nailed another from behind the arc to make it a 56-46 game as the Rams gained some breathing room late. The Drovers posted a late 7-0 rally to cut the lead down to 67-61, but with less than a minute remaining on the clock the Rams secured the home win.  
 
The Drovers shot 50 percent from the floor in the second half, while Wesleyan continued to hit on 43 percent from the floor. For the game, the Rams outscored the Drovers in the paint, 32-26. TWU also put pressure on, grabbing 23 points off turnovers. USAO won the rebound battle, 42-38.
 
Nolisa led the Rams hitting 8 of 11 from the floor for 18 points, and grabbing 11 boards in the process for a double-double. Louallen came alive from behind the arc in the second half, shooting 50 percent from the three point line and posting 14 points in the win. Jdily-Ezzad kept things organized with seven assists. Breanna Burton posted nine points and seven rebounds, while Katelynn Threats tallied nine points and six boards for the Lady Rams.  
 
The Lady Rams will travel to Bethany, OK for a conference game with Southwestern Christian University on Saturday, January 9 starting at 3:00 pm.