FORT WORTH, TX: The Texas Wesleyan University women's basketball team (7-13, 5-7 SAC) dropped a 66-59 game to (RV) University of Science & Arts (18-3, 10-2 SAC) at the Sid Richardson Center on Saturday.
 
Science & Arts overcame 26 turnovers, shooting 52 percent from the floor in the second half to escape Fort Worth with its 12th win in 13 games.
 
It was a tale of two half's today, as the Lady Rams took advantage of USAO shooting 28 percent in the first half before the Drovers took control in the second.
 
The Lady Rams shot out of the gate like a rocket, nursing a 7-0 run in the last 3:02 of the first quarter to establish a 16-7 lead.
 
The second ranked team in the conference came charging back late in the second quarter. TXWES took an 18-9 lead on an Adrianna Davis layup, but after nearly four minutes of no scoring from either team, the Drovers established some momentum. While the Lady Rams dug in to keep USAO at bay, a 5-0 run to end the quarter put the visiting team down by three, at 24-21.
 
The Drovers dominated the paint in the second half, exploiting miss-matches. Most of the damage was done by Vivian Holcomb and Shaylynn Bass, who combined for 22 points and 16 rebounds in the contest.
 
Threes from Alycia Louallen and Karah Sicurella cut the Drover lead to five in the fourth quarter, and the scoreboard read 59-54 with under a minute remaining. TXWES missed a three ball on the ensuing possession, and although the Lady Rams kept pressing the issue on the offensive end, the home team couldn't get any stops on the defensive side of the ball. Texas Wesleyan fouled to preserve the clock, but the Drovers held off an upset minded Lady Ram team for the win.
 
The Lady Rams outperformed their season average in steals (12) with 17. USAO enjoyed a 17-9 advantage at the charity stripe. Science & Arts also outscored the Rams in the paint, 32-26.
 
Tomi Sanchez led the Lady Rams with 14 points (3-6 from 3FG), and seven boards. Sicurella turned in 11 points and four assists in the effort. Adrianna Davis contributed seven rebounds in the loss.
 
The Lady Rams will look to rebound in a conference home contest against Panhandle State University on Thursday, February 1. Tip-off is set for a 6:00 p.m.