FORT WORTH, TX: The 2017 Texas Wesleyan University Men's Basketball team received their NAIA National Championship Rings Thursday night in front of a terrific crowd at the Sid Richardson Center. The team then began its title defense by pummeling Southwestern Adventist University (2-2) by a final score of 92-57 in the season opener.
The Rams stormed away from the Knights from the opening tip.
Dare Brazeal started the season with a fast break dunk off an assist from
Branden Jenkins.
That was the start of an 18-2 run to begin the contest. The lead swelled to 29-4 after a layup from Jenkins midway through the first half, and the Rams took a 45-22 advantage to the locker room.
The TXWES defense impressed in the first half, forcing 12 turnovers and garnering eight steals while allowing only six made baskets.
The second half was more of the same with the Rams leading by as many as 40 points (82-42) on their way to the 92-57 victory.
Ram fans got a look at six newcomers in the contest.
Mike Wolfe came off the bench to score a game-high 23 points in just 20 minutes of the floor.
Dare Brazeal scored 16 points and added four rebounds, four assists and four steals.
Branden Jenkins finished with 14 points and eight assists, while
Curtiss Anderson contributed 14 points.
Rob Thomas had seven points and six rebounds in his Wesleyan debut, and
Eric Johnson saw his first action and notched two points, a rebound and an assist in three minutes.
For the game, the Rams shot an even 50% (38-76) from the field while taking 30 more shots than the Knights who finished 21-46 (46%) from the field. The Rams parleyed a significant size advantage to 47-21 rebounding margin.
SWAU was led by Travis Gagau who finished with 23 points, and Sitivi Fehoko who had 14 points and seven boards.
The Rams will return to action on Monday in a game that features two of the NAIA's best. The top-ranked Rams will play host to No. 11 LSU-Shreveport. That game is scheduled for a 7 p.m. start.
Ramblings
- This was the eighth consecutive season-opening win for the Rams. Head Coach
Brennen Shingleton moved to 6-0 on opening day.
- The Rams are now 9-0 against Southwestern Adventist.
- The Rams lead the all-time series with LSU-Shreveport 14-9 after taking each of the last two meetings. Former Red River Athletic Conference Mates, the two teams have not met since Dec. 18, 2014 when the Rams defeated then No. 12 LSUS in Shreveport. The teams will trade home games this season, playing in Fort Worth on Monday and in Shreveport on Nov. 21.
- Texas Wesleyan is now 28-4 at home in the last three seasons.
