FORT WORTH, TX: The 20th ranked Texas Wesleyan University men's basketball team (7-1) suffered its first loss of the season by a final score of 70-61 at the hands of Wiley College (6-1) on Monday night.
The loss snapped a streak of four consecutive wins on Texas Wesleyan's home floor, while Texas Wesleyan has now won 16 of its last 18 games played at the Sid Richardson Center.
In the first half, the Rams outrebounded the Wildcats 21-12 and got off 10 more shots from the field. However, Wiley kept the game close by shooting 57% from the field.
With the score tied 30-30 entering the final two minutes of the first half,
Dion Rogers converted an offensive tip-in.
Naiel Smith then snared one of his six steals on the game, and
Trevon Jeffery closed the period with a three-point play sending the Rams to the locker room up 35-30.
In the second half, the Wildcats shored up their rebounding effort taking a 19-16 edge in the period. Meanwhile, Wiley continued to shoot a high percentage, finishing at 52% for the game.
The Rams led by as many as eight points in the second half. With 10:12 on the clock, a layup from
Dion Rogers pushed the score to 54-47. That proved to be Texas Wesleyan's last field goal of the game.
A triple from Corey Jones sparked a 9-2 run that put Wiley on top 56-54. A pair of free throws from Jeffery tied the game at 60-60 before Wiley scored five unanswered points.
Najeal Young hit one-of-two at the line to bring the score to 65-61, but a technical foul heading into a time out gave Wiley two free throws and the ball. Jones converted both free throws from the technical, and Kevondric Davis hit one-of-two on the ensuing possession to stretch the margin to 68-61.
For the game, Wiley outshot Texas Wesleyan 52%-41% from the field and 40%-9% (1-11) from long range. The Rams held a slim 37-31 rebounding margin and 13 offensive rebounds led to a 14-4 advantage in second chance points.
Najeal Young and
Naiel Smith both recorded double-doubles. Young finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds, while Smith, posted 11 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, and 6 steals.
Dion Rogers scored a game-high 16 points for the Rams.
Davis led the Wildcats with 16 points after hitting 5-of-10 long range attempts. Ricardo Artis posted 13 points and 10 rebounds in the win.
The Rams will open Sooner Athletic Conference play on Thursday, when they travel to Oklahoma City to take on top-ranked and defending NAIA National Champion Mid-America Christian University. That game is scheduled for an 8:00 p.m. start.
Ramblings
- Texas Wesleyan has won 16 of its last 18 home games.
- The Rams are now 25-11 all-time against Wiley College. MACU leads the all-time series 4-2 although the Rams were the only team that beat the eventual national champs twice last season.
