FORT WORTH, TX: The 24th ranked Texas Wesleyan University Men's Basketball team (16-7, 10-4 SAC) took a thrilling 68-66 win over No. 20 Wayland Baptist University (15-7, 7-6 SAC) in the Sid Richardson Center on Saturday.
The game was an illustration of the improvement the Rams have made this season. WBU took a 90-61 win over the Rams in Plainview on November 30. On Saturday, the Rams led by as many as 11 points and held the lead for 33:24.
Wayland dominated the boards in the first half (26-14), but the Rams forced nine turnovers in the period. Midway through the period,
Sam Smith and
Ryan Harris hit three's during an 8-0 burst that put the Rams up 21-11. The lead hovered around double-figures until the Pioneers scored the final six points of the half and trailed 30-26 at the intermission.
After the Pioneers got the first bucket of the second half, the Rams ripped off eight unanswered points to gain a comfortable 38-28 cushion. The Rams controlled the next 12 minutes but Wayland chipped away and cut the margin down to 55-53 with 7:33 to play.
Things really got interesting when Trevonta Robertson gave WBU a 65-64 lead with a fast break slam with 2:20 on the clock. After a Texas Wesleyan miss, Robertson hit one-of-two at the free throw line to make it a 2-point game.
Branden Jenkins was good for two at the line, and, entering the final minute of play
Curtiss Anderson calmly knocked down two more to put the Rams back on top 68-66. On WBU's next possession Robertson missed a pair of free throws. The Rams brought the ball up the floor with the game and shot clocks separated by just over two seconds, but a turnover left the door cracked for the Pioneers.
In the closing seconds, WBU got a good look from Josh Throns (a 41% 3-point shooter) at the top of the key, but
Branden Jenkins cleanly blocked the shot and the Rams came away with the victory.
For the game, the Rams outshot the Pioneers 43%-39% from the floor and 40% (10-25) – 32% (6-19) from long range. After being outrebounded by 12 in the first half, the Rams were +1 on the boards in the second half.
Jenkins finished with a game-high 22 points, while
Ryan Harris went 4-for-8 from long range and posted 16 points.
Curtiss Anderson added 12 points and nine boards.
Samuel Kalwanyi led the Pioneers with a 20 point, 15 rebound effort.
The Rams will pick up a second forfeit victory on Thursday, when they were to play the now defunct St. Gregory's University. They will return to action on Saturday, when they travel to Bethany, OK, to take on Southwestern Christian University. That game is scheduled for a 5:00 p.m. start.
Ramblings
- Wayland Baptist leads the all-time series with Texas Wesleyan 39-37. Texas Wesleyan is now 49-39 all-time in SAC play.
- Saturday's game snapped a streak of eight consecutive games in which at least two Rams scored 20 or more points.
- Texas Wesleyan's potent offense has been held under 70 points only twice this season, both against Wayland Baptist.
- The Rams are 8-3 all-time against their next opponent, Southwestern Christian.
