FORT WORTH, TX: Texas Wesleyan seniors
Sam Akano and
Jerell Ellis both eclipsed 1,000 career points as their 7th ranked Rams men's basketball team (22-4, 13-2 SAC) defeated St. Gregory's University (8-15, 3-12 SAC) 106-76 in front of a delighted crowd at the Sid Richardson Center on Thursday.
Akano entered the game needing 7 points to reach 1,000 while Ellis needed 18. They became the 20th and 21st members of Texas Wesleyan's 1,000 point club.
Akano put up six points in the first half, while Ellis went for 14 to get within easy striking distance. Akano just missed hitting the mark in spectacular fashion on two occasions. Akano let fly a half-court shot as time expired in the first half that would have pushed him over the top. He then went for a big jam in the second half. The dunk didn't go, but he was fouled and got his 1,000 point on the second free throw.
Meanwhile Ellis hit the milestone with a conventional three-point play that left him with 1,001 points and pushed the score to 89-67.
Meanwhile, the game did not present an issue for the Rams. The Rams led for all but 20 seconds of the contest. Texas Wesleyan led by as many as 26 points in the first half and 32 in the second half on their way to the 106-76 win.
The Rams shot a cool 55.2% from the field while holding the Cavs to 39.7% shooting. Texas Wesleyan also outshot SGU 47.8% (11-23) - 30% from long range and 80.8% (21-26) – 80% at the free throw line. Rebounds were even at 38-38, but the Rams led 46-34 in the paint, 23-13 off of turnovers, 16-9 on the fast break, and 40-24 in bench scoring.
Six rams reached double-figures in scoring. Akano finished with 20 points while Ellis posted 19.
Dion Rogers added 15 points.
Henry Buckley scored 14, and
Trevon Jeffery and
BJ Batts each contributed 12.
St. Gregory's was led by Richard Shields' 25 points.
The Rams will return to action on Saturday, when they make the short trip down Highway 287 to Waxahachie to take on Southwestern Assemblies of God University. That game is scheduled for an 8:00 p.m. start.
Ramblings
- During Texas Wesleyan's current 12-game winning streak, they have trailed for a total of 14:32 and have posted an average margin of victory of 20.08 points per game.
- The Rams lead the all-time series with St. Gregory's 7-4. They lead SAGU 24-9 all-time.
