Box Score

LANGSTON, OK:  The Texas Wesleyan University women’s basketball team (14-3, 9-2 RRAC) ended fifth ranked Langston University’s (17-1, 11-1) undefeated season with a 59-54 win at Marques Haynes Court in the C.F. Gayles’ Field House on Saturday.
 
The Lady Rams weathered a 7-1 start by the fifth ranked Lions, cutting the score to 12-11 midway through the first half.  Later in the period, Nicole Terral scored five points during a 12-3 run that put Texas Wesleyan on top 25-22, and the Lady Rams went on to lead 27-24 at the intermission. 
 
That marked unfamiliar territory for the Lady Lions.  Langston, who entered the game holding an average margin of victory of over 11 points per game, had not trailed at halftime in their first 17 contests.
 
The Lions came out firing in the first half.  Buckets from Ayanna Jackson and Shontice Simmons put quickly put the Lions on top 28-27, but Octavia Mullins answered with an offensive rebound and put-back.  A three from Raven Alexander capped an 11-2 run that left Texas Wesleyan with a healthy 38-30 advantage five minutes into the second half.
 
The Lions were far from done though.  An 8-0 run gave Langston the lead at 45-44.  The Lions continued to lead 54-52 entering the game’s final two minutes, when Kristi Alexander stepped to the plate.  Alexander scored on a layup to tie the game at 54.  She then knocked down a jumper from the elbow as the shot clocked expired to give the Rams a two-point lead with 48 seconds to play.  The Lions missed their final three shots and Alexander hit three-of-four at the line to seal the 59-54 victory.
 
The win marked the first for the Lady Rams at Langston.  For the game, the Rams held a slight edge shooting 35% from the floor to LU’s 34%.  The Rams also led 45-41 in rebounding and forced 19 turnovers while committing 15 of their own.
 
Mullins led the Rams with 15 points and 13 rebounds for her fourth consecutive double-double and tenth of the season.  Alexander finished with 13 points, five rebounds, and five assists.  Brittany White contributed 10 points and seven rebounds to the win.
 
Langston was led by Kimberly Jones 13 points and 14 rebounds.  Simmons finished with 15 points in the loss.
 
The Rams will host the Lions in a rematch on Monday.  Texas Wesleyan defeated Langston in their Fort Worth meeting last season.  Monday’s game is scheduled for a 5:30 p.m. start in the Sid Richardson Center.