RAMS BLAST STEERS
January 3, 2007

Box Score

TYLER, TX:  The Texas Wesleyan University men’s basketball team (8-3, 1-0 RRAC) opened Red River Athletic Conference play tonight against Texas College (1-4, 0-2) at John Tyler High School.  In their first game in nearly a month, the Rams started slowly, but found their stride in the second half and took a convincing 82-62 win.

After a rusty first ten minutes, the Rams found themselves trailing 18-10 before they began to find a rhythm.  Texas Wesleyan shot 50% in the first period while dominating the boards 21-13, and went to the locker room with a 32-28 lead.

In the second half, Texas Wesleyan poured it on, shooting 54.5% in the period including 6-of-11 from long range.  In a three-minute stretch midway though the second half, the Rams hit 6-of-8 shots including a pair of threes from Justin Loewe and another from CJ Higginbotham.  That 13-5 run gave Texas Wesleyan a 68-52 lead.  From there they were able to cruise to the 82-62 win.

For the game, Texas Wesleyan shot 53% while holding Texas College to just 39%.  The Rams also won the battle of the boards 44-25.

Five Rams reached double-figures in scoring paced by CJ Higginbotham’s 22 points.  Nino Etienne posted a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds.  Evan Patterson and Kelvin Williams each finished with 11 while Dane Dmitrovic put up 10.  Texas College was led by Czyz Bennett’s 18 points.

“Our conditioning showed in the second half,” said assistant coach Brennen Shingleton  “We showed some holiday rust early on, but played well enough to take a conference win on the road in the second half.”