FORT WORTH, TX - The underdogs of the Sooner Athletic Conference were hungry on Saturday, proving exactly why the Sooner Athletic Conference is the most competitive in the NAIA. Central Christian (9-9, 2-8 SAC) made the most of its opportunities in the second half to knock off No. 19 Texas Wesleyan (14-5, 7-3 SAC) 78-75 at the Sid Richardson Center.

Between 17:25 and 12:07 remaining in the second half, the Tigers hit eight shots in a row, plus converting both free throw opportunities, to keep pace with the red-hot Rams, who usually are able to put teams away when the offense is clicking. The tenth-highest scoring offense in the country, TXWES, hit 7-of-9 attempts during that same stretch after a sluggish first half pit the two teams in an even tie at 35 at the break.

With Central Christian ahead 61-58 with 12:07 to play, Texas Wesleyan was never able to grab the lead but tied the game once and came within one point three times. The Tigers only led by as much as nine, but played like a team desperate to get a win that would begin their ascension out of the conference cellar. 

The Rams dominated in the paint with the dynamic duo of Sebastian Karwoski and Akeem White. The two had 39 total points - Karwoski 22 and White 17 - with a combined 16 rebounds - Karwoski with nine and White with seven. The two shot 15-of-23 from the floor but the rest of the team shot 11-for-40. It was not the Rams day from deep - an uncharacteristic 3-for-20 from beyond the arc.

Despite the loss, Texas Wesleyan remains in the conference's third spot, owning the head-to-head tiebreaker over Southwestern Assemblies of God, one that can either be dominated or split when the two meet again - this time in Fort Worth - Tuesday February 11. Peyton Sallee added nine points and six rebounds, while Joe Cook-Green scored six points and hauled in nine boards. Marshall Calvin had a team-leading five assists in 26 minutes, a season high. The Rams only turned the ball over nine times in defeat.

A three game road trip looms starting with Wayland Baptist Thursday January 30 at 8 p.m. The Pioneers will be looking for revenge after Texas Wesleyan blasted WBU in Fort Worth, 97-50 just a few weeks ago.