FORT WORTH - After out-scoring one of the most difficult team's to defend in the nation 16-11 in the first quarter, Texas Wesleyan Women's Basketball (13-16, 11-10 SAC) had too much time left to track down No. 6 Wayland Baptist (25-4, 19-2 SAC) and suffered a 73-64 loss Thursday night at the Sid Richardson Center.

While the loss was disappointing, it was a major improvement on the 80-53 loss in Plainview earlier in the season and the second tightest anyone has played the Flying Queens during their eight-game winning streak, which included capping a season sweep on No. 10 Oklahoma City last Saturday in dominating fashion.

Nicole Gleason turned in 17 points - hitting a couple of steep step-back threes - adding seven rebounds, four steals and two assists. Lexi Burns scored 12 points in the first half, but left the game in the third quarter after banging knees with a Queen. She returned in the fourth, but couldn't find the net. Chrystal Ngawuchu put in 10 points on nine shots with four boards.

Evie Whorley added nine and Adrianna Davis provided valuable minutes off the bench with plenty of hustle to the tune of six points and six successful crashes of the glass.

After hitting 57 percent of shots in the second quarter and 50 percent of looks in the third frame, the Lady Rams field goal percentage crashed down to 29 percent in the final ten minutes as the Flying Queens went on the only run they needed.

Wayland went on a 10-0 run after Ngawuchu's post move bucket cut its lead to just two - 61-59 with 5:26 to play. After Lorian Benjamin scored the first points of the second half to put TXWES back in front by one, the Rams cut their disadvantage to three points or less on five different occasions but never could re-take the lead.

WHAT'S NEXT
Senior Day is set for Saturday at 2 p.m. at The Sid against Oklahoma Panhandle State, who the Lady Rams already defeated in a defensive slugfest earlier this season, 54-42. Being honored for their achievements, Lorian Benjamin, Jordan Brightwell, Bailey Broadnax, Lexi Burns, Adrianna Davis, Tomi Sanchez and Karah Sicurella will be playing in what is likely their final home game.

AFTER SENIOR DAY
The loss to Wayland didn't have much impact on the conference standings. John Brown moved one game ahead of the Lady Rams for the No. 6 spot, which means that unless the Golden Eagles are upset by Central Christian Saturday, the Rams will control either the No. 7 or No. 8 spot. OPSU is currently in the eight-spot, one game back of the Lady Rams.

In the event the two teams split the season series, the second tiebreaker is a win-loss record comparison, starting with the top team in the conference. OPSU earned a win over the current No. 3 University of Science and Arts (TXWES lost that tiebreaker 0-2) but Texas Wesleyan earned a split with Mid-America Christian who currently possess the No. 4 slot (OPSU lost that tiebreaker, 0-2). Both USAO and MACU have the same record, but the Drovers swept the Lady Evangels earlier this season to own that particular tiebreaker. 

For the Lady Rams to claim the No. 7 seed Saturday even in a loss, MACU would need to upset Oklahoma City, while the Drovers would need to slip up against Southwestern Christian. Wayland can secure the No. 1 seed with a victory over SAGU while OCU needs a Flying Queens loss plus a win over the Evangels to claim the top spot.