GOODWELL, OK: The Texas Wesleyan University Men's Basketball team (5-4, 0-2 SAC) suffered a 90-81 loss at Oklahoma Panhandle State University (7-2, 1-1 SAC) on Saturday.
Texas Wesleyan controlled the bulk of this contest, holding the lead for nearly 34 minutes, but the Aggies outscored the Rams 16-6 in the final 3:28 to claim the win.
The Rams were clicking early as they shot 41% from the field while holding OPSU to 27% from the floor.
Branden Jenkins knocked down a pair of threes to score the first six points of the game.
Dare Brazeal followed with a layup, and the Rams jumped out to an 8-0 lead. Just minutes later, another bucket from Brazeal started a 10-0 run that left the Rams in complete control at 21-4 midway through the first half.
The Aggies made an important push before halftime, cutting the advantage all the way down to four points at 25-21 before heading to the locker room down 41-33.
Panhandle State put the pressure on early in the second half as they stormed to a 54-53 lead with a three from DK Sumo. That was the first of seven lead changes in the final 15 minutes of the game.
Every time the Aggies took the lead, the Rams had an immediate answer until another trey from Sumo pushed the score to 77-74. A pair of defensive stops allowed the Aggies to push ahead 80-75 with just 2:18 to play. The Rams could not come up with the stops they needed to get back in the game and OPSU held on for the 90-81 win.
Both teams spent plenty of time at the free throw line, combining for 48 fouls, but OPSU threw in 33 of their 39 free throw attempts, while the Rams were 15-of-21 at the line. Texas Wesleyan outshot Panhandle State 42%-40% from the field.
Jenkins led the Rams with 25 points to go with 5 boards and 5 assists.
Sam Smith added 16 points, and
Dare Brazeal finished with 13.
OPSU was led by Jace Kerr's 25 points. Sumo (19 points, 10 rebounds) and Jaedon Whitfield (15 points, 16 rebounds) both finished with double-doubles.
Texas Wesleyan will return to action on December 14, when they travel to Chickasha, OK, to take on the University of Science & Arts (OK). That game is scheduled for an 8:00 p.m. start.
Ramblings
- This marks the first time the Rams have lost consecutive games since February 9 and 11 last season. The Rams lost back-to-back games on two occasions during their NAIA National Championship run in 2017.
- This was the first meeting between Texas Wesleyan and Panhandle State. The Rams are now 39-37 all-time in SAC play.
- The all-time series with USAO, Texas Wesleyan's next opponent, is tied 9-9 although the Drovers have taken each of the last two meetings including the SAC Semifinals last season.
