MCPHERSON, KS - Texas Wesleyan Men's Basketball (13-15, 8-12 SAC) picked up a crucial victory on the road Saturday afternoon against Central Christian (11-16, 5-15 SAC) 84-68. They got the help from a senior known for his rebounding, court vision and hustle, not necessarily offensive firepower: Dare Brazeal.

Brazeal's scored in double-figures five times this season with a high of 13. Brazeal scored 22 Saturday on 10-of-15 shooting and turned in four steals - all season highs. The team's leading rebounder in 2018-2019 also grabbed eight boards with three assists. Brazeal scored five of the team's final seven points and scattered his successful buckets throughout the game, including a bucket that tied the game at 47 with 15:53 to go in the second half, just before Peyton Sallee gave the Rams their first lead of the second half.

Down 47-42, the Rams scored the game's next 11 points then went on an 8-0 run to take a 61-49 advantage with 10:28 to go on two Sallee threes and a basket from Emmanuel Egenti. Texas Wesleyan kept their distance the rest of the way and would not allow the Tigers to make a comeback down the stretch. 

Sallee led the Rams with 26 points and had six steals and four rebounds. He hit eight threes, now hitting at least seven in three of his last four games. The freshman's gotten his three-point shooting up to 47 percent, which launches him to 14th in the country. 

Joe Cook-Green scored 21 as he aggressively attacked the rim to earn 10 free throws, making nine. He coupled those 21 scores with four rebounds and five assists. Justin Flakes scored eight in 18 minutes while Rob Thomas grabbed seven rebounds and played 29 minutes without a turnover.

TXWES took an 11-3 lead through the first five minutes as the Tigers start was less than ideal, hitting just 1-of-5 shots while committing three turnovers. The Tigers actually went on to score 18 of the next 22 points before the Rams rallied with a 6-0 run to tie and reset things at 21 apiece at the 8:18 mark.

RAMBLINGS
The Rams kept the turnovers down - 12 - the fourth time in their last seven outings keeping the giveaways to 12 or less. 

Texas Wesleyan defeated Central Christian for a fourth-straight time and still have yet to lose to the Tigers in the short series history.

The 48 points scored in the second half were the most points scored in a half in SAC play during the 2018-2019 season, and the most in a half since the Rams thrashed Our Lady of the Lake last November. It's the second-most points scored in a half on the road.

THE FINAL TWO
With two games left, the Rams trail the Sooner Athletic Conference's final tournament spot by two games. The Rams will need wins in their last two games and some help. Here are the remaining schedules of the four teams involved in the battle for the last two spots:

Mid-America Christian (10-10 SAC) - Texas Wesleyan's record against MACU this season: 2-0
Thu. 2/21 @ Southwestern Christian
Sat. 2/23 Vs. No. 18 Oklahoma City

Oklahoma Panhandle State (10-10 SAC) - Texas Wesleyan's record against OPSU this season: 0-1
Thu. 2/21 @ SAGU
Sat. 2/23 @ Texas Wesleyan

Southwestern Christian (9-11 SAC) - Texas Wesleyan's record against SWC this season: 2-0
Thu. 2/21 Vs. Mid-America Christian
Sat. 2/23 @ RV USAO

WHAT'S NEXT
With the Rams in need of a win Thursday night at 8 p.m. against No. 9 Wayland Baptist, Men's Basketball will need its fans loud and proud at the Sid Richardson Center. Oklahoma Panhandle State - Senior Day and also potentially a matchup that could decide who gets the final spot in the SAC Tournament - will be Saturday February 23 at 4 p.m.