BETHANY, OK: The Texas Wesleyan University women's basketball team (7-16, 5-10 SAC) slipped 75-69 to Southwestern Christian University (9-13, 5-11 SAC) at Pickens-Springer Gymnasium on Saturday.
 
The Eagles, who rank 24th in the nation in free throw percentage (.709), used 28 of 38 for 75 percent from the free throw line to outpace the Lady Rams, along with a Herculean effort from Eliora Johnson (30 points, 23 rebounds). Johnson, who leads the nation in rebounds per game at 14.7, grabbed all but 12 of SCU's total rebounds.
 
The Lady Rams edged their opponent in assists and steals, but got into foul trouble early and often, committing 11 more fouls than the Eagles. SCU was plus five in rebounding.
 
The Eagles built an eight-point, 18-10 lead in the opening salvo, spreading the ball nicely between the paint and perimeter. Karah Sicurellla bit into the lead with a three-pointer at the end of the quarter, while Lexi Burns started the second quarter with a triple right in front of the opposing bench to make it a 19-13 SCU lead.
 
The Lady Rams rattled off a 9-2 run capped by a Lorian Benjamin steal and score on a fast break that gave TXWES its first lead at 22-21 midway through the second. The two teams engaged in a back and forth to the end of the half, which Texas Wesleyan taking the edge. Tomi Sanchez banked in a long range shot to take a 33-32 lead, before stopping a driving Eliora Johnson on the defensive end to protect the slim margin at the break.
 
The Lady Rams and Eagles took turns with the lead in the third quarter, as the score flipped and flopped a handful of times. When the dust settled, Southwestern Christian outscored the Rams by three in the third, translating into a 48-46 edge heading into the final stanza.
 
SCU managed a mediocre lead throughout the fourth, creating enough space to close out the game and stopping a three-game losing streak. The Lady Rams have now lost five straight.
 
Burns got hot from the three-point line, going 4 of 7 and earning 18 points. Evie Whorley led the team with 19 points, going 7 of 13 from the field, to along with four steals. Sanchez finished with 10 points and five boards
 
The Lady Rams will come home to host SAGU. The rivalry continues on Monday, February 12 at 6:00 p.m. in the Sid Richardson Center.