RAMS BLITZ LIONS
January 14, 2010

FORT WORTH, TX:   The 17th ranked Texas Wesleyan University men’s basketball team (12-4, 5-0 RRAC) had a lightning quick start en route to an 83-72 win over Southwestern Assemblies of God University (4-9, 1-3) on Thursday.

The Rams got off to a terrific start, not committing a turnover in the game’s first 13 minutes.  Hector Mukweyi set the tone, slamming home the game’s first points off a feed from Brian Wanamaker.  That was the first of a series of four alley-oop jams for Mukweyi in the first half.  The Rams ran out to a 30-9 lead with just over six minutes to play in the first half.

The Lions closed the gap to ten points at 34-24, but Jamel White answered with a pair of three-pointers before James Ford’s jump shot sent the game to halftime at 40-26.

The Rams held the Lions at arm’s length through much of the second half.  SAGU made one push to get back in the game.  A three from Ronald Horne cut Texas Wesleyan’s advantage to 67-60 with just under six minutes to play, but once again White was there with the answer, knocking down a trey on Texas Wesleyan’s next possession.  After Mukweyi made one-of-two at the line, White hit another triple to bring the score to 74-60, and Texas Wesleyan cruised to the 83-72 win.

For the game, the Rams shot 48.7% from the field and 45% (9-of-20) from long range, while holding SAGU to 37.7% from the floor and 30% (9-of-30) from long range.  The Rams also out rebounded the Lions 42-37 and outscored the Lions 40-24 in the paint.

“We have got to learn to play the entire game like the score is tied,” said head coach Terry Waldrop.  “I thought we let off the gas a little and SAGU made a push to get back in it, but we were able to regain our swagger and make it comfortable at the end.”

White led all scorers with 24 points to go with six rebounds.  Mukweyi turned in a double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds.  Jeremy Smith (11 points, 8 assists), Terrell Henry (11 points), and Brian Wanamaker (10 points) also scored in double-figures for the Rams.

James Ford led four Lions in double-figure scoring with 18 points, while Ronald Horne finished with 17 for SAGU.

The Rams will return to action on Monday, when they host the University of the Southwest in Red River Athletic Conference Action.  That game is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. start.