Monday night, the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (11-7, 8-4 SAC) was unable to overcome a slow start and suffered an 82-74 loss at Texas Wesleyan University (10-8, 6-5 SAC).
Neither team got off to a good start offensively, but the Rams were able to hold an 11-5 lead five minutes into the contest. Midway through the first half, the Texas Wesleyan pushed out to a 20-12 lead.
Texas Wesleyan’s offense got red hot from three-point range and managed to take a 47-30 lead into the break.
Following halftime, the Rams continued to control the pace in the opening minutes, but then the Drovers used a 17-4 run to cut the deficit to 60-55 with nine remaining in the game. Texas Wesleyan fended off USAO’s comeback attempt in the closing minutes of the contest.
As a team, the Drovers shot 28-62 (.452) from the field, and 9-23 (.391) from three-point range. In comparison, the Rams shot 31-64 (.484) from the field, and 12-25 (.480) from deep. Texas Wesleyan held a 38-26 advantage in the rebounding battle, and the Rams forced the Drovers into committing 17 turnovers, while only fumbling the ball 13 times themselves.
USAO was whistled for 15 fouls and TWU was called on 14 infractions. The Rams went 8-11 (.727) from the free-throw line, while USAO went 9-14 (.643) from the charity stripe.
Samkelo Cele (SR/Durban, South Africa) led the USAO offense with 15 points in 15 minutes of action off the bench.
Gerard Makuntae (SR/Austell, GA) and Langston Gaither (SR/Alexandria, VA) each closed with 13 points.
Cejay Mann (SO/Alma, AR) added 10 points, followed by Cade Allen (SO/Hammon, OK) with nine. Dallen Forsythe (SO/Dale, OK) scored six points off the bench and Jaden Harrell (SO/Oklahoma City, OK) closed with four.
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