WILDCATS UPSET RAMS
March 1, 2007

Box Score

FORT WORTH, TX:  The 17th ranked Texas Wesleyan University men’s basketball team (18-10, 11-4 RRAC) suffered a 73-65 loss at the hands of #30 Wiley College (21-6, 10-5) at Alumni Gymnasium on Saturday.

The Wildcats came out firing and opened a 20-5 lead while hitting at over 60% from the floor in the first six minutes of the game.

The Rams recovered, but their slow start would cost them down the stretch.  Texas Wesleyan whittled away at Wiley’s and tied the game at 27 with just over two minutes to play in the half.

Wiley responded with nine unanswered points before Kennith Gober knocked down a three-pointer to end the half.

Fred Eshon gave the Rams their first lead at 41-40 when he hit a triple just under four minutes into the second half.  Wiley immediately ripped off eleven unanswered points to regain control. 

The Rams showed some poise and chipped away at Wiley’s lead again.  This time Texas Wesleyan cut the deficit to five at 69-64 with 1:04 to play.  However, the Rams missed five three-point attempts in the final minute, and Wiley College held on for the 73-65 win.

The Wildcats out rebounded the Rams 40-36 and outshot the Rams 44%-42%.  Wiley also forced 23 turnovers that led to 22 points on the offensive end.

Eshon led all scorers with 24 points.  Hector Mukweyi finished with 18, and Gober added 11 for the Rams.  Aaron Scott contributed eight assists, and Dane Dmitrovic posted 10 rebounds and six assists.

Wiley was led by Michael Essien’s 19 points.

The Rams return to action on Monday, when they travel to Hawkins, TX, to take on Jarvis Christian College in their regular season finale.  A win in that contest would wrap up the regular season Red River Athletic Conference championship for Texas Wesleyan.  By winning on Saturday, Wiley remained alive for that top spot.  With a Texas Wesleyan loss and a Wiley win over Texas College on Monday, the Wildcats would slide into the number one seed in next week’s RRAC tournament.