MOORE, Oklahoma – With each period of play in the new 2002-2003 season, the Texas Wesleyan Men’s basketball team continues to gel. One day after a back and forth season-opening overtime victory against Mid America on Thursday, the Rams took the court against Southwestern Christian University and dominated from start to finish. They cruised to an 84-59 victory.

After winning the initial tip, the Rams played solid first half defense, limiting the Eagles’ to few quality looks at the basket in the early going. Wesleyan’s offense took a few minutes to get into rhythm, but once it did, the Rams jumped out to a 34-24 halftime lead. The tough Wesleyan defense held Southwestern Christian to 5 of 27 (18.5%) shooting in the half, while the offense, led by senior Kenneth Johnson and James Whitfield, buried 13 of 28 attempts.

The Rams emerged from the locker room intent on putting the Eagles away quickly, and Whitfield helped do just that, nailing an early three-point attempt. Wesleyan continued to build on the lead throughout the rest of the game, even after brothers Kenny and David Johnson got into foul trouble. Switching from man-to-man defense to a 2-3 zone, the Rams almost completely shut down the Eagle offense, igniting a 30-6 run that extended the lead to 50, putting the game well out of reach. The Eagles managed a small run at the end of the contest with Wesleyan reserves on the floor, but the outcome was never in doubt.

“Tonight was a much better effort,” said Waldrop, comparing the game to the season opener. “A few of the players we expect to contribute significantly this year are coming back from off-season injuries, and it was especially exciting to see them play well in game situations.”

The Rams were paced offensively by seniors Kenneth Johnson and James Whitfield, who combined for 51 points and 75 percent shooting from the floor. Johnson hit 12 of 15 for 27 points, and Whitfield, who began practicing on Monday after off-season elbow surgery, added 24 points and 5 assists in 32 minutes. David Johnson, after posting a triple-double in the season opener, scored nine, and Aaron Whaley added 5. Joey Gladney had 4 points and 6 rebounds off the bench, and Aaron Whitson, recovering from an injury in his first action of the season, tallied one bucket. As a team, the Rams shot

Defensively, David Johnson set the early-season mark for rebounds with 17, and helped limit the Eagles to just two second-chance points.

The Southwestern Christian offense was spread out, with no player reaching double digits in any positive statistical category. Sophomore guard Shannon Rowland led the squad with 9 points and 3 assists, and Jerome Haywood scored 5, pulled down 7 rebounds, and managed one steal.

The Rams conclude the Holiday Inn Classic tomorrow at 8:00 PM against host Hillsdale College before returning home on Monday to face this same Southwest Christian team. Monday’s game, the home opener, begins at 7:30 and is immediately preceded by the women’s home opener, which begins at 5:30.