OKLAHOMA CITY, OK: The 20th ranked Texas Wesleyan University men's basketball team (7-2, 0-1 SAC) suffered a 91-90 loss after a last-minute charge by top-ranked and defending NAIA National Champion Mid-America Christian University (8-2, 1-0 SAC).
The Rams controlled most of the contest and led by as many as 17 points (76-59 with 12:32 to play). Texas Wesleyan led for 38:53, while the Evangels led for a total of 36 seconds, and the game was tied for 31 seconds.
The Rams responded to their first loss of the season, suffered Monday against Wiley College, by coming out hot at MACU. After hitting only 1-of-11 three's in the loss to Wiley, the Rams nailed 12-of-21 (57%) in the first half against the Evangels.
Texas Wesleyan jumped ahead 11-3after a bucket from
Najeal Young. The Rams led by as many as 12 points (52-40) in the opening frame and were able to hold off several MACU threats to reach the intermission with a 54-45 advantage.
In the second half, three's from
Peyton Prudhomme and
Naiel Smith highlighted an 11-1 run that left the Rams with the largest lead of the night at 76-59.
The Evangels got off the mat with 10 unanswered points to cut the score to 76-69. Still, the Rams held MACU at arm's length until back-to-back threes from Keyshawn Perkins and Ex'Zavia Seaton brought the Evangels within a point at 78-77 with 6:26 to play.
After a basket from Devonse Reed tied the game at 86-86, MACU took its first lead of the game when a triple from Olajuwon Garner poushed the score to 89-86 with 56 seconds to play.
In the final seconds,
Dion Rogers put the Rams back on top 90-89 with a pair of free throws. That lead held with five seconds to play, when the Rams were whistled for a foul that sent Tyler Chaisson to the line. Chaisson was good on both free throws, and the Evangels came away with the one-point victory.
After shooting 51% from the floor in the first half, the Rams hit just 39% in the second half. For the game, the Rams still outshot the Evangels 46%-43% from the floor and 47%-43% from distance. Both teams took 70 shots from the field with the Rams getting two more made-baskets. Both teams netted 15 three-pointers, but MACU outscored the Rams 16-11 at the free throw line.
Jeremy Crane led all scorers with 23 points off the Texas Wesleyan bench. The NAIA's leading assist man,
Naiel Smith posted a double-double with 15 points and 10 assists to go with 7 rebounds and 4 steals.
Dion Rogers finished with 16 points, and
Trevon Jeffery posted 13 points and 8 rebounds.
MACU placed five players in double-figure scoring, led by Devante Moore's 16 points. Seaton finished with a double-double on 13 points and 15 rebounds.
The Rams will return to action on Saturday, when they host the US 287 rivalry with Southwestern Assemblies of God University. That Sooner Athletic Conference contest is scheduled for a 5:00 p.m. start.
Ramblings
- Mid-America Christian was also coming off of a loss to Wiley College, 78-76 on Tuesday.
- MACU leads the all-time series with Texas Wesleyan 5-2. Texas Wesleyan is 26-31 all-time in SAC play.
- Texas Wesleyan is coming off of an SAC Regular Season Championship with a league record of 14-4 last season.
- The Rams were the only team that swept the season-series from MACU during their national title run last year.
- The Rams lead the all-time series with SAGU 25-9.
- With 10 assists on Thursday,
Naiel Smith now leads the NAIA with 7.25 assists per game.
