FORT WORTH, TX – Texas Wesleyan fell short in a tightly contested 55-53 loss to Mid-America Christian in a Saturday at the Sid Richardson Center.

The Rams (9-5, 5-5 SAC) controlled much of the game but couldn't withstand a late surge by the Evangels (13-1, 9-1 SAC).

The Rams came out strong, dominating the first quarter with sharp offensive execution and a stifling defense that limited MACU to nine points. Taryn Wills led the charge with six points, while Kamryn Gibson contributed four. Texas Wesleyan's defense forced turnovers and created fast-break opportunities, helping them take an 18-9 lead.

In the second quarter, the Rams extended their lead, buoyed by a three-pointer from Savanna Smith and key contributions from their bench. Texas Wesleyan held a commanding 34-17 halftime advantage, showcasing balanced scoring and disciplined defensive play.

The third quarter saw Mid-America Christian claw back into the game. Shy Christopher and Mary Nyakundi spearheaded the Evangels' attack, combining for 12 points in the frame. Despite the surge, the Rams remained in control, thanks to timely free throws from Sophia Hurtado and defensive stops by Imani Mitchell and Kamryn Gibson. The Rams entered the final period with a 41-34 lead.

The fourth quarter was a back-and-forth battle. The Evangels shot a blistering 72.7% from the field in the final frame, with Christopher scoring clutch baskets. A critical three-pointer by Smith momentarily restored the Rams' lead, but MACU tied the game with under a minute remaining.

Christopher's jumper with seven seconds left gave the Evangels their first lead since the opening quarter. A missed layup by Wills on the Rams' final possession sealed the victory for MACU.

Christopher finished with 14 points and nine rebounds for the Evangels, while Wills led the Rams with 14 points.

The Rams will travel across the Metroplex on Monday to face the University of North Texas at Dallas with the game scheduled for a 6 p.m. tipoff.