RAMS BLOW BY DUSTDEVILS:

IMPROVE TO 13-3 IN RRAC
February 16, 2006

LAREDO, TX:  The Texas Wesleyan University men’s basketball team (17-7, 13-3 RRAC) took a convincing 88-57 win over Texas A&M International University (4-22, 2-15) on Thursday.

The Rams led wire-to-wire in the contest.  Texas Wesleyan shot 50% in the first half including 7-14 shooting from long range, while holding the Dustdevils to just 30% from the field.  That led to a 41-25 Texas Wesleyan lead at the half.

In the second half, the Rams picked up right where they left off.  Texas Wesleyan picked up the intensity to 57% shooting and hit eight three’s in the second period.  Texas Wesleyan outscored TAMIU 39-11 to start the second half.  That run was capped by a CJ Higginbotham three-pointer that gave them their largest lead of the night at 80-36 with 6:53 on the clock.  From there, Texas Wesleyan cruised to the 88-57 win.

For the game, Texas Wesleyan shot 54% from the field while holding TAMIU to 32%.  The Rams also hit 15-of-27 (56%) from long range.

Ben Hunt led five Rams in double-figures with 16 points.  Brad Schilder and Scott Reasoner each pitched in 13 points.  CJ Higginbotham finished with 11, and Nino Etienne scored 10 points.  TAMIU’s Nickolas Ochoa led all scorers with 24 points.