FORT WORTH, TX: The Texas Wesleyan University men's basketball (8-4, 3-3 SAC) team used a monster performance from senior guard
Branden Jenkins to defeat #14 Oklahoma City University (9-4, 3-3 SAC) by a final score of 106-92. Jenkins poured in 31 points in the first half and finished one point shy of the school's single-game scoring record with 44 in the game.
Texas Wesleyan Athletic Hall of Fame Member Irvin Rue was on notice in this game as Jenkins approached the school's scoring record that was set in 1965. Rue put up 45 points during a 114-82 win at Southwestern University on February 7, 1965. The record has been approached several times in recent years, but none have come closer than Jenkins did on Saturday.
Jenkins was hot from the opening tip. After a fast break slam, Jenkins wanted the ball right back and nailed a transition three. That capped a stretch of 10 consecutive points scored by Jenkins, gave him17 in the first seven minutes and lifted the Rams to a 28-15 lead.
Curtiss Anderson got in on the act with 11 points and five rebounds in the first half, and the Rams led 57-41 at the intermission.
Two early fouls in the second half put Jenkins in foul trouble and he was on the floor for only 12 minutes of the period.
The Rams were running away from the Stars after a steal by Jenkins led to a breakaway jam that brought the score to 75-55. However, on the next possession, Jenkins picked up a fourth foul and returned to the bench.
The Stars mounted a comeback, cutting the deficit in half at 83-73, but
Juwan Jones picked up the slack. Jones dropped in seven consecutive points for the Rams, piling up 12 in the second half, and the Rams were quickly back up 88-73 with eight minutes to play.
Jenkins returned to the contest with 3:44 on the clock and got to within one of the record. After a missed three from OCU's Ridell Camidge, Jenkins brought the ball up the court for the final possession of the game and showed terrific sportsmanship by electing not to take one more crack at the record, and letting the clock expire on an impressive 106-92 victory.
Jenkins was 15-of-24 from the field, 8-of-13 from long range, and 6-of-7 at the free throw line. He was one point shy of Irvin Rue's scoring record and one three-pointer shy of the school's single-game record as well. Not a one-trick pony, Jenkins also contributed seven rebounds, three assists, and two steals to the win.
Curtiss Anderson was also terrific, going for a season-high 24 points and nine rebounds. Anderson was 8-of-10 from the field and 8-of-9 at the free throw line. Jones finished with 14 points.
Rob Thomas posted nine points, 10 assists, and no turnovers for the Rams.
For the game, the Rams outshot the Stars 57%-46% from the field, 40%-32% from 3-point range, and 90%-73% at the line.
OCU only turned the ball over one more time (12) than the Rams, but Texas Wesleyan led 23-14 in points scored off of those turnovers. The Stars racked up 21 offensive rebounds and led 24-14 in second chance points.
OCU was led by Terence Bonhomme's 20 points, while four other Stars reached double-figures in scoring.
The Rams will return to action on Thursday when they host John Brown University. That game is scheduled for an 8:00 p.m. start in the Sid Richardson Center.
Ramblings
- The last time a Ram reached 40 points was Jorge Redmon who scored 40 against Northwood University on February 6, 2014.
- The school record for 3-pointers in a single game is nine, held by
Jeremy Crane (2016-17) and Robert Allen (2000-01).
- Saturday's victory broke a 12-12 tie in the all-time series with Oklahoma City. The Rams are now 42-38 all-time in SAC play.
- Texas Wesleyan leads the all-time series with John Brown, 6-3.
