OKLAHOMA CITY – The Texas Wesleyan University men's basketball team (7-2, 2-1 SAC) pulled away late to take a 77-73 overtime win over Mid-America Christian (7-4, 0-3 SAC) at Gaulke Activity Center on Thursday.
 
The Rams escaped Oklahoma City with a conference win, outshooting the Evangels 46% to 36 percent. The team also controlled the boards 42-38, and outscored the home team in points in the paint 42-32.
 
The Rams overcame a 9-1 deficit to start the game with an 11-2 run to take a 12-11 lead with 12:20 on the clock; and then it was a chess match there.  The two teams went toe-to-toe for the rest of the first half, with the Rams able to take a four-point, 33-29 edge at the half.
 
TXWES held a five-point advantage with 7:40 remaining in regulation, but the home team made a move and tied the game at 54-54 at the 5-minute mark. The Evangels broke loose late with a 5-0 rally to make it 67-62 with just over a minute left. Davon Berry picked up a timely steal and went coast to coast for a layup to cut the lead to 67-65, before putting in the equalizer with nine seconds on the clock after MACU missed a pair of free throws. The two teams settled in for the overtime period.
 
The Rams held serve for most of OT, and after the Evangels tied the game at 71 apiece, a pair of Peyton Sallee swishes from downtown made it a 77-71 advantage with 34 seconds to go. TXWES maintained the lead from the charity stripe the rest of the way, taking a 77-73 win.
 
Sallee led all players with 30 points on 53% shooting. He also added eight boards and four steals. Kristian Lafayette earned his third double-double of the young season behind 10 points and 13 rebounds.
 
The Rams come back home to face Southwestern Christian on Saturday, Dec. 4. Tip-off is set for 3:45 p.m. at the Sid Richardson Center. Watch the game by going to RamSport.net/Watch.