OKLAHOMA CITY, OK: For the second time this season, the 2017 and 2016 NAIA Division I Men's Basketball National Champions went head-to-head when Texas Wesleyan University (14-6, 8-3 SAC) traveled to Mid-America Christian University (12-7, 6-5 SAC) on Thursday. The Rams avenged a loss to MACU earlier this season and ran their win streak to eight games with an 80-71 win over the Evangels.
For the second straight game, the Rams ran out to a huge lead in the first half. Texas Wesleyan shot a blistering 59% from the field and 56% (9-of-16) from 3-point range while hitting all six of their free throws in the period. Meanwhile, the Evangels hit at just a 35% clip and made just one of 10 long range attempts.
Midway through the period,
Ryan Harris hit a fast break jumper, and the Rams were off and running. That was the start of a 25-4 run that was capped off by a fast break trey from
Juwan Jones putting the Rams up by 25 (49-24). The Rams went to the locker room firmly in command at 49-28.
The Evangels regrouped at halftime and locked down defensively in the second half. MACU held Texas Wesleyan to just 27% shooting in the period while the Rams hit just one of 12 shots beyond the arc.
MACU made it a game at 72-63 with just over five minutes to play. However, buckets from
Sam Smith and
Juwan Jones made it a 13-point lead with 3:47 on the clock, and the Rams were able to hold the Evangels at arm's length for the remainder of the contest.
MACU did a terrific job guarding a potent starting lineup from Texas Wesleyan. No Ram starter reached double-figures in scoring; however, the Rams showed their impressive depth as
Ryan Harris and
Juwan Jones came off the bench and combined for 50 points.
Harris led the way with 29 points on 11-of-16 shooting. Jones finished with 21 points. Texas Wesleyan hit 10 three-pointers to MACU's four and turned the ball over just seven times while forcing 13 MACU miscues.
The Evangels were led by Jordan Rhodes who posted a double-double with 19 points and 12 rebounds while dishing out six assists.
The Rams will return home on Saturday when they host No. 15 University of Science & Arts (OK). The two teams enter the weekend tied atop the SAC standings at 8-3. That game is scheduled for a 5 pm start in the Sid Richardson Center.
Ramblings
- MACU leads the all-time series with the Rams 7-4. Texas Wesleyan improved to 47-38 all-time in SAC play.
- The Rams are 10-9 all-time against Science & Arts. Texas Wesleyan took the previous meeting between the two teams 77-73 in Chickasha, OK, earlier this season. USAO was ranked 7th in the NAIA at that time.
- Harris' 29 points were the second most of his career. He scored 33 points in a win over Texas College last season.
- Thursday's game marked the sixth consecutive time and ninth time this season in which at least two Rams have scored 20 or more points.
- During Texas Wesleyan's current eight-game winning streak, the Rams have averaged 92.1 points per game while outscoring their opponents by 12.5 points per game.
