WAXAHACHIE, TX: The 8th ranked Texas Wesleyan University men's basketball team (24-7) fell short 75-73 in spite of a furious late-game rally in a Sooner Athletic Conference semifinal contest against the University of Science & Arts (OK) (17-11) on Friday.
USAO took control from the start, and the Rams struggled with their shooting throughout the game. The Drovers ripped off seven straight points to start the game and continued to pull away on their way to a 44-31 advantage at the half.
The Rams shot just 32% from the floor in the first half while the Drovers hit 47% including 44% (7-16) from 3-point range. Texas Wesleyan's 31 points marked the second lowest first-half scoring output of the season.
Although they continued to struggle to make shots, the Rams kept themselves in position to make a run. Trailing 66-56 with just over five minutes to play,
Sam Akano started that run when he went to the rim for a layup. The Rams drew a charge on the other end and then got two free throws after a technical foul on Taran Buie. However both free throws were off the mark.
Two minutes later a second technical was issued to Buie, and the Rams converted only one-of-two free throws.
A 3-point play from
Dion Rogers made it a two-possession game (70-66) with 2:36 to play. A triple from
BJ Batts at the 1:11 mark made it a 3-point game (74-71).
The Rams cut it all the way to two (75-73) with two free throws from
Sam Akano with 46 seconds to play. The Rams got the defensive stop they needed, but two final 3-point attempts both missed and USAO came away with the 75-73 win.
The Rams outrebounded the Drovers 52-44 and enjoyed a 15-8 turnover margin, but they could not overcome 34.6% shooting for the game. USAO meanwhile shot 43% from the floor.
Sam Akano led all scorers with 26 points to go with 8 rebounds.
Chris Gracela posted his seventh double-double of the season with 10 points and 17 rebounds.
Jerell Ellis finished with 12 points.
Buie led the Drovers with 25 points while David Tucker added 21. Richard McCalop and Brendan Chapman each scored 10 points in the win.
The Drovers advance to Saturday's SAC Championship game where they will meet Wayland Baptist University.
Texas Wesleyan now awaits the March 9 release of the 32-team field and bracket for the NAIA Division I National Championship which will be played in Kansas City, MO's Municipal Auditorium March 16-22.
Ramblings
- The Rams lead the all-time series with USAO 8-7. They are now 1-3 all-time in SAC Tournament play.
- The Rams will be making the program's 14th appearance in the NAIA Division I National Tournament. Texas Wesleyan made five consecutive tournament appearances from 2008-12 following their 2006 National Championship.
