The TXWES Rams are back! Join us online at RamSports.net/live for the first Texas Wesleyan Athletics contest of the New Year. We're leaving 2020 in the dust and kicking off 2021 with a Texas-sized match-up with Wayland Baptist University in the Sooner Athletic Conference opener on Saturday, January 9.
Our updated COVID-19 protocols currently restrict fans from attending contests at 'The Sid' in an effort to protect our student-athletes and community. Although we can't enjoy the game in-person, that hasn't stopped us from bringing you live coverage of all home contests online, free of charge, from your favorite device.
The Opponent:
Wayland Baptist (1-1, 0-0 SAC): January 9, 2021 at 4 p.m. at SID Richardson Center | Live Stats | Live Video
Game Notes
About the Rams:
The Rams return to the court for conference play after a two-month break following COVID-19 cancellations. TXWES managed to play three games before the break, winning all three against Arlington Baptist, Dallas Christian and Southwestern Christian.
Entering SAC play, the Rams are ranked second in the league in scoring with 98.3 ppg, and second in 3-pt percentage at 40.5 percent. In their contest against ABU, TXWES drained 16 treys, tied for most in a game with Central Christian College this season.
On the individual leader board, Vydal Bradford is third best in the SAC, averaging 20.3 ppg. The 6-5 guard is also tied for most points in a game this season with SWC's Ron Washington. Bradford drained a career-high 31 points vs. SWC back in November.
Junior Peyton Sallee claims the third spot for most points in a game after scoring 28 vs. Dallas Christian. The 6-1 guard is No. 8 in individual scoring in the SAC with 17.3 ppg, is No. 3 in field goal percentage at 75 percent and 3-pt percentage at 73.3 percent.
Sallee is a key returner from last year's squad when TXWES went 21-9 and earned a bid to the NAIA national tournament. However, before the Rams could get to Kansas City to take on Mount Carrol (Mont.), the NAIA canceled post season play for winter sports and eventually the spring season.
A year ago, Sallee averaged 13.6 points per game and shot 40 percent from the arc. Returners also include Davon Berry who dished 94 assists and scored 10.6 ppg, along with Sebastian Karwoski, last season's leading rebounder. 6-8 Karwoski still leads the Rams at the glass, averaging 6.7 rpg. 6-6 Ryan Flores is just behind him at 6.3 rpg.
Last Time Out:
Vydal Bradford lit up the scoreboard, recording 31 points in the Ram's 97-88 win over Southwestern Christian on Nov. 5. The Rams led for over 70 percent of the time but with SWC hot on their heels, the charity stripe proved the difference. TXWES went 12 for 12 from the line with under three minutes left in the game to cruise to victory and stay undefeated.
Bradford added eight rebounds and six assists in the win. Sebastian Karwoski went 4 for 5 from the field and was a perfect 6 for 6 from the line. Marshall Calvin produced 10 points in just 11 minutes of work. Christopher Coley landed in double-digits with 11. Ryan Flores brought down 10 rebounds and added seven points in the effort.
Scouting the Pioneers:
In the SAC preseason poll, WBU was predicted to finish sixth in the league after finishing in fifth place last year. WBU concluded last season with a 20-11 record, including 12-8 in the SAC, before the season was shut down due to COVID-19.
The Pioneers graduated their two-time NAIA All-American J.J. Culver who led the team in points (23.1), rebounds (6.4), assists (3.2) and steals (2.7). He became only the fourth collegiate player and second NAIA player to score 100 points or more when he notched 100 points against SW Adventist on Dec. 10, 2019. However, they return seven players from last season's roster, including five seniors led by Tre Fillmore, a 6-foot-2 guard who was WBU's third-leading scorer at 9.6 ppg.
Like TXWES, WBU also played their season opener with Arlington Baptist, winning 96-52. They were led by Thomas Miles with 22 points and five steals from off the bench. Although Miles is no longer on the WBU roster, he hit six 3-pointers in going 8-of-12 from the field. 6-7 senior forward Chinedu Okonkwo finished with 21 points and nine rebounds. 6-8 senior Jibrael Washington blocked six shots, picking up where he left off last season when he finished seventh in the NAIA with 56 swats.
A week before their matchup with TXWES, WBU fell 85-70 to Hardin-Simmons. Freshman Devin Avent led WBU with 16 points, all but two of which came in the first half. Okonkwo added 10 points and nine rebounds. Wayland made the first two points of the game, but that was the Pioneers' only lead as the Cowboys (5-2) scored the next seven and never surrendered the lead.
The History:
This will be the 51st historical matchup between TXWES and WBU dating back to 1950 when the Rams won 65-40. The series is tied at 25-25. The Rams have won the last two games against WBU, winning the most recent 88-81 on Jan. 30, 2020. Neither team has pulled ahead by more than three games in a row. TXWES is 6-8 against WBU in SAC play.
Looking Forward:
TXWES will play again at home on Jan. 11 against Oklahoma Panhandle State. The Rams have an overall record of 5-2 against the Aggies and have won the past 3 games.
Then on Jan 14, the Rams will take a road trip to Siloam Springs, Ark. for a matchup with John Brown who they are historically 10-6 against, winning their last game 69-56.
