FORT WORTH - Texas Wesleyan Men's Basketball (3-1) had no trouble with Arlington Baptist (0-4) Thursday night at the Sid Richardson, taking a 91-69 victory over the Patriots.

Plenty of faces stepped up in the team's first home game since the season-opening Champions Classic Tournament, but none stepped up more than true freshman Peyton Sallee. The local Chisholm Trail High School product scored 17 points on 6-of-10 shooting in just 20 minutes, adding a steal and an assist. It was his first action of the season and it didn't take long for him to get going. He and his teammate - also off the bench Tuesday, Justin Flakes - provided the lift that gained ultimate separation.

After Sallee's first bucket with 4:11 to go in the first half to put the Rams up 35-30, Flakes grabbed a defensive rebound, drove the length of the court and flew to the basket for a lay-in. Immediately after, Flakes stole the inbounds pass and found Sallee all alone from deep, a three that the freshman drained. Just like that, a 33-30 tight contest became a 40-30 commanding lead. Sallee scored the last bucket of the first half to put the Rams up 44-32 at the break.

Texas Wesleyan never looked back, using a 10-0 run to rocket ahead 81-54 with 4:21 to play, holding the Patriots scoreless for a crucial 3:44 down the stretch.

Five different players, including Sallee, scored in double-figures for the Rams. Julian Torres had 15 points in 15 minutes - and could have had more if not for a lid on the basket that rolled out a few easy ones in the paint; Torres also added five rebounds. Diing Lwal Diing scored 12 points and grabbed eight rebounds in just 15 minutes, while Juwan Jones contributed 10 points, four rebounds and four assists. Joe Cook-Green also came off the bench and gave high-efficiency minutes. Cook-Green didn't miss a shot - 4-for-4 from the field including one three-ball and 2-for-2 shooting from the line.

Flakes, who entered the ball game fourth in the NAIA in assist-to-turnover ratio (8.0), had two points, three assists, four rebounds and a steal with just one turnover, playing a team-high 25 minutes. The Rams got 43 points from their bench and shot 50% in each half.

WHAT'S NEXT
Texas Wesleyan continues its four game home stand Saturday when Wiley College comes to town. Tip-off is slated for 4 p.m.