RAMS OUTLAST WARRIORS
January 8, 2007

Box Score

FLORENCE, MS:  The Texas Wesleyan University men’s basketball team (9-6) held its opponent under 70 points for the fifth consecutive contest, besting Wesley College (8-12) by a score of 71-68.

The Rams held the Warriors to just 20% from the floor in the first half.  Texas Wesleyan had the game well in hand until the Warrior’s Terrence Robinson ripped off 15 consecutive Wesely College points taking the Warriors from a 23-15 deficit to a 26-25 lead.  Robinson later hit three free throws to bring Wesley to within three at 33-30, but Texas Wesleyan flexed its muscle and scored the final nine points of the half to lead 42-30 at the break.

Texas Wesleyan continued to control the contest, leading by as many as 13 points.  However, Wesley used a foul differential that reached 21-7 at one point and finished at 26-16 to their advantage.  The Warriors took 35 free throws in the contest compared to just 16 (including five in the final minute) for Texas Wesleyan.  That allowed Wesley to make things interesting down the stretch.

A three from Josh Cole brought the Warriors within three at 70-67 with 56 seconds to play.  The two teams traded free throws in the final minute for the final of 71-68.

Four Rams reached double figures in scoring.  Aaron Scott turned in a second consecutive strong performance.  Scott nearly reached a triple-double with 16 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists off the Rams’ bench.  Andy Laitinen scored 12 points, Kennith Gober 11, and Fred Eshon 10 for the Rams.

Texas Wesleyan dominated the boards 51-39 and held the Warriors to just 32% shooting from the field.

Robinson finished with a game-high 26 points including 14-of-16 from the free throw line.

Head coach Terry Waldrop refused to comment on the officiating.  Waldrop did say, “We over came a lot of things in here tonight.  It’s always good to get a win on the road.  It was a win in college basketball.”

The Rams will return to action on Saturday, when they travel down Highway 287, to Waxahachie, TX, where they will meet Red River Athletic Conference foe Southwestern Assemblies of God University.  That game is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. tip-off.