FORT WORTH, TX: The Texas Wesleyan University women's basketball team (1-0) opened the season with a 63-43 win over Texas College (0-1) at the Sid Richardson Center on Monday.
 
The Lady Rams played over 17 minutes of turnover free basketball to start the contest that helped establish a favorable tempo.
 
Bria Jackson hit the first bucket of the season, but it took both teams some time to get into any kind of shooting rhythm. Bailey Broadnax completed a three-point play late in the first quarter, but the Lady Steers responded right away with a long triple to tie the game 8-8. Katelynn Threats battled in the lane and put in a layup to take a 10-8 lead to end the opening stanza.
 
Ashlie Bruner got things going in the second quarter, dropping in a shot from downtown to make a six-point, 15-9 edge. Texas Wesleyan held Texas College at bay and trotted into half time with a 25-20 advantage.
 
The Steers posted an 8-2 run to start the second half taking a 28-27 lead. The run did not last long though, as the Rams went on an 8-0 rally capped by a pair of Broadnax free throws. Wesleyan started to hit on all cylinders, running up the score to 43-31 on a Breanna Burton jumper to end the third.
 
The Lady Rams dominated the start of the final quarter, grabbing a 23-point lead with an Alycia Louallen layup to make it a 56-33 game. Wesleyan kept that double-digit lead the rest of the way for a 63-43 win.   
 
The Lady Rams shooting percentage went up in every quarter and ended the game shooting 32 percent from the field. The Rams also won the rebound battle 53-42 and team assists 17-8.
 
Threats started the season where she left off last season, leading the Lady Rams with a double-double behind 19 points and 17 rebounds. Broadnax added 16 points. Ashlie Bruner flashed her skills with eight points, seven boards, and seven assists in the win.
 
The Lady Rams will play in an exhibition game at Tarleton State on Wednesday before coming back home to host LSU-Shreveport on Saturday, November 5 starting at 4:00 at the Sid Richardson Center.