Box Score FORT WORTH-- The Texas Wesleyan women's basketball team(24-5, 17-5 SAC) defeated John Brown University (16-16)  61-58 on Friday evening at the Sid Richardson Center to advance to the SAC semifinals.

The Lady Rams started the game with a pull-up mid-range shot by Kertisa Amos in the first 10 seconds of the game. In the first quarter, TXWES received a huge lift from tough defense and offensive rebounds in the opening period of play. After one quarter of play the Golden Eagles led 16-14.

Amos converted two and ones in the opening minutes of the second quarter that sparked excitement and energy from the crowd. Zarria Carter soared in over defenders for an offensive put-back to make the score 28-24 with 2 minutes left in the first half. JBU knocked down a three-pointer to cut the deficit to 28-27 with under 30 seconds left in the first half. Junior Makayla Coy banked in a three-pointer off the backboard as time expired to propel the Lady Rams to a 31-27 lead after one half of play. 

TXWES shot 12 of 37 (32 percent) from the field and 5 of 8 from the free-throw line in the first half. The Lady Rams recorded 19 rebounds, 12 points off turnovers, 6 assists, 1 block, and 6 steals in the first half.

To start the second half, Amos attacked the rim and drew a foul. She made one free-throw to extend the TXWES lead to 5 points in the opening minute of play in the third quarter. Zarria Carter ripped down an offensive board and went up strong over the top of defenders for an easy layup off the backboard. The Golden Eagles answered back with 5 points in a row to cut the deficit to two points.

Na'Teiona Cole and QuinNae Love, and Kertisa Amos all scored layups on consecutive possessions to extend the TXWES lead to 40-32 with 6 minutes left in the third quarter. JBU made a three-pointer and an easy layup on consecutive possessions to cut the deficit to 5 points. Kertisa Amos scored 6 straight points to give the Lady Rams a 48-40 lead with under 3 minutes to play in the third quarter. 

JBU responded with two consecutive three-pointers to cut the deficit it faced to two points. Amos stopped the run by banking a shot off the backboard to extend the Lady Rams lead to 4 points. After three quarters of play, TXWES protected a 50-46 lead.

To start the fourth quarter, both teams struggled to find the bottom of the net in the first minute and a half of play. JBU netted two free-throws to cut the Lady Rams lead to 2 points. Amos continued her dominance in the mid-range game with consecutive shots from the free-throw line to extend the Lady Rams lead to 54-48 with 6 minutes left in the game. Junior Makayla Coy got a friendly roll on a three-pointer  that gave TXWES a 57-48 lead with under 5 minutes left in the game. JBU battled back with a layup to make the score 57-50 with  3:30 left in the game. With 43 seconds left in the game, JBU netted a three-pointer to pull itself within one point of the Lady Rams. With 34 seconds left in the game the Golden Eagles had a chance to win the ball-game. Zarria Carter denied the shot at the rim and secured the rebound. As time expired the Golden Eagles missed a three-pointer as the Lady Rams prevailed 61-58. 

Junior Kertisa Amos had a near double-double with 24 points and 9 rebounds. Freshman Zarria Carter and junior Makayla Coy both secured double-doubles. Carter scored 13 points and corralled 14 rebounds. Coy scored 16 points and secured 12 rebounds. The Lady Rams shot 24 of 74 from the field (32.4 percent.) 

TXWES moves on to the semifinals of the conference tournament to take on Mid-America Christian on Monday, Feb. 28 at 8 p.m. in the Gaulke Activity Center.