RED HOT RAMS ROLL OVER STEERS
February 2, 2006

TYLER, TX:  The Texas Wesleyan men’s basketball team (13-6, 10-2 RRAC) earned its ninth consecutive win when they defeated Texas College 71-62 on Thursday.  The Rams’ current streak matches the longest winning streak in school history since the 1982-83 season.

In the first half, the Steers held the Rams to just 36% shooting from the field.  However, the Rams dominated the boards 28-17 and held a 33-29 lead at the break on the strength of five 3-pointers from Ben Hunt.

In the second half, the Rams hit six more 3-pointers and enjoyed their largest lead of the ball game at 57-41 with just under thirteen minutes to play.  The Steers scored nine unanswered points to claw back into the game at 57-50, but Scott Reasoner answered their run with a trey to extend the lead back into double figures.

The lead swelled to 15 at 67-52, but a 10-0 run put the Steers down by just five points with 1:21 on the clock.  In the final minute, Evan Patterson and Hunt each drained a pair of free throws to seal the 71-62 win.

Texas Wesleyan held the Steers to just 39% shooting while hitting for 45% themselves.  The Rams committed 17 turnovers, but won the battle-of-the boards 43-33.

Hunt matched his career-high with 29 points on 9-13 shooting.  His 87.5% (7-8) long range shooting matched the school’s single-game record held by Khayri McKinney (04-05) and Aaron Whaley (02-03).  Brad Schilder finished with 12 points and Nino Etienne just missed a double-double with 9 points and 11 rebounds.  Jamar Adams led the Steers with 17 points.

“This team is resilient,” said head coach Terry Waldrop.  “We rebounded and we hit free throws and that won the game.”

The Rams will return to action on Saturday, January 4, when they host Langston University in the Sid Richardson Center.  That game is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. and will be preceded by a women’s game.