FORT WORTH, TX - Texas Wesleyan (7-1, 3-1 SAC) secured a thrilling 67-65 overtime victory over Wiley College in a hard-fought battle.

Wiley started strong, taking an early 6-0 lead behind Celebria Peacock's defense and scoring from Elizabeth Camacho and Mary Leday. 

The Rams struggled with early turnovers but rallied late in the first quarter, with Tayran Wills scoring six points and layups from Payton Foster and Savanna Smith closing the gap to 14-12.

The Rams found their rhythm in the second quarter, sparked by Savanna Smith's three-pointer and free throws. Wills dominated the paint, while Kameryn Phillips added pivotal baskets.

Wiley kept it close with efforts from Peacock and Leday, but Texas Wesleyan's aggressive defense and teamwork earned a 30-26 halftime advantage.

The third quarter saw Wiley tie the game early, but the Rams regained control with balanced scoring. Smith hit a clutch three-pointer, Imani Mitchell added free throws, and Phillips and Wills excelled in the paint.

Defensively, the Rams capitalized on turnovers, with steals from Aniyah Sanford and Wills. Sanford's late three-pointer and Phillips' layup extended the lead to 45-37 heading into the final quarter.

The fourth quarter was a back-and-forth showdown. Wiley tied the game behind Jessica Nerestant's inside scoring, but Texas Wesleyan responded with three-pointers from Mitchell and Smith.

Phillips added critical points down low, and the Rams' defense, led by steals from Phillips and Wills, created scoring opportunities. In the final moments, Smith's three-pointer gave Texas Wesleyan a narrow lead, but Peacock's layup tied the game at 58, forcing overtime.

In overtime, Mitchell's early three-pointer and Giani Wimbish-Gay's layup gave Texas Wesleyan momentum.

Wiley's Nerestant and Leday kept the Wildcats in contention, but Payton Foster's clutch layup reclaimed the lead for the Rams.

Mitchell sealed the win with a late free throw, and the Rams' defense stifled Wiley's final attempts, securing a dramatic 67-65 victory.

The Rams will return to action Thursday at John Brown University, with the game scheduled to start at 6 pm.