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:
No. 2 Wayland Baptist (2-0, 0-0 SAC): January 9, 2021 at 2 p.m. at SID Richardson Center | Live Stats | Live Video
Game Notes
About the Rams:
The Rams have only been able to get in one contest this season amid COVID-19 cancellations. They are 0-1 heading into the home and conference opener with No. 2 Wayland Baptist.
The SAC preseason poll projected the Rams finishing fifth in the league after TXWES went 17-11 last season, and 12-8 in the conference. The Rams' season ended in the SAC tournament quarterfinal to Mid-America Christian.
The Rams return four players who saw significant action last season including Evie Whorley entering her senior campaign. She started 26 of 28 games last year, averaging 7.6 points per game and 5.5 rebounds per game. Whorley also led the team with the best free throw percentage shooting 85.1 at the line.
Fellow senior Alexus Brigham returns having played in all 28 games last year averaging 8.6 points per game. Hailee Walls is another senior returner after netting 7.8 points per game during the 2019-20 season.
After a great freshman debut that included 14 starts, Makayla Coy gears up for a promising sophomore year after recording 8.3 points per game and 6.2 boards per game last year.
Two newcomers had their TXWES debut in the Rams' lone contest this season. Lindsey Thorpe, a senior transfer from Texas A&M-International, was a starter in the Nov. 7 road game, nabbing five rebounds. Joining her was fellow junior transfer from Georgia Highlands College Janeé Knorr who netted 7 points against the Tigers.
Last Time Out:
TXWES fell 58-53 to Central Christian (Kan.) in McPherson on Nov. 7 in their lone contest this season. Three Rams scored in double figures with Hailee Walls leading the team with 16 points. Makayla Coy scored 13 and matched with 13 rebounds for her fourth career double-double. Evie Whorley had a career high 17 boards and notched 4 steals.
Scouting the Queens:
The Flying Queens are off to a 2-0 start, defeating Mid-America Christian 84-7 and USAO 81-73 on the road back in November. WBU also had six Fall contests cancelled out of COVID-19 precautions.
Last season the Queens forged a 31-2 record and captured the Sooner Athletic Conference regular-season co-championship and SAC Tournament title before their season came to an end with the cancellation of the NAIA National Tournament due to COVID-19.
WBU returns a two-time honorable mention all-American in Kaylee Edgemon, who led the team in scoring last season, averaging 13.6 points to go with 5.4 rebounds. Edgemon is the lone senior on the 15-player roster and is already off to a hot start this season.
The 5-11 forward currently leads the team in scoring, recording back-to-back double-doubles in the wins against MACU and USAO. She set a career-high for scoring with 30 points and got a dozen rebounds against USAO. The 30 points outpaced her previous high of 27 scored against Southwestern Christian her sophomore year. Her performance in the road contests earned her SAC Player of the Week.
Two other Queens are averaging double digits in scoring. 6-0 forward Jenna Cooper is netting 20 points per game and notched a double-double against USAO with 19 points and 10 rebounds. Payton Brown adds 12.5 points per game to the leader board. She has also recorded five steals in two games and drained four 3-pointers against MACU.
On the defensive end, 6-2 center Tayjanna McGhee-Pleasant is a force to be reckoned with, swatting five blocks in two games and averaging 11 rebounds per contest.
The History:
The Rams are 2-15 against Flying Queens dating back to 2012. TXWES won their first ever contest 72-56 but fell in their last matchup on Jan 30, 2020 The Rams are on a seven game skid to the Flying Queens and are 1-6 on their home court against WBU.
Looking Forward:
TXWES will play again at home on Jan. 11 against Oklahoma Panhandle State. The Rams have an overall record of 4-2 against the Aggies and have won the past 4 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 6-8 against and have won the past 4 games as well.
