WAXAHACHIE — Texas Wesleyan University (1-0) opened the 2025-26 season in dramatic fashion, defeating No. 13 Louisiana State University-Alexandria 82-81 in overtime.

Senior guard Daylan Hamilton buried a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to lift the Rams to the upset victory.

Hamilton led Texas Wesleyan with 19 points and eight rebounds, including two crucial triples in the extra period. The Rams showed impressive balance offensively, with Matt Nero adding 15 points and five assists, Montez Young Jr. scoring 14 points with six rebounds, Khalil Turner contributing 12 points and eight rebounds, and Anthony Sierras providing a spark off the bench with 12 points.

The Rams trailed by as many as 12 points in the first half but battled back with defensive pressure and second-chance opportunities, turning a 34-33 halftime deficit into a tightly contested finish. Daniel Oravbiere anchored the paint with 15 rebounds, six points, and two blocks as the Rams outrebounded the Generals 43-39.

LSU-A's EJ McQuillan nearly spoiled the Rams' effort, exploding for 41 points on 11-of-20 shooting and a near-perfect 14-of-15 from the free-throw line. Despite McQuillan's heroics, Texas Wesleyan held the Generals to just two field goals in overtime and forced 18 turnovers in the game.

In the closing seconds, with the Rams down  81-79, Hamilton created space beyond the arc and drilled the three-point game-winner as the buzzer sounded.

The Rams return to action tomorrow at the Nelson Basketball Classic against Southern University of New Orleans, with tip-off scheduled for 2 p.m.