LIONS ESCAPE RAMS, 59-57 |
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WAXAHACHIE, TX: Beating a team three times in one season is a tall order, especially when the last two games are played back-to-back. The Texas Wesleyan University men’s basketball team defeated Langston University in the regular season finale on Monday. On Thursday however, the Lions (13-11) knocked the Rams (19-10) out of the Red River Athletic Conference Tournament by taking a 59-57 win in first round action.
In the first half, Texas Wesleyan shot 48% and dominated the boards, but turned the ball over 12 times. CJ Higginbotham gave the Rams a two-point lead, 30-28, with 1:12 to go, but after two scoreless possessions, Langston held the ball for a final shot and Jonathan Rickett put back his own miss to tie the game at the half.
In the second half, the Lions opened a nine-point lead, 46-37, eight minutes in., but the Rams used a 9-1 run to cut the margin to one at 47-36. The Lions pushed back ahead by five, but a layup from Kelvin Williams, a dunk from Dane Dmitrovic and a free throw from Dmitrovic put the Rams on top 53-52 with 2:38 on the clock.
The Rams continued to lead until Ernest Carr hit a three with 48 seconds to play that gave Langston a 58-57 advantage. In the final minute, Carr hit one-of-two at the line and the Rams got the ball back with a chance to tie the game or win with a three.
With five seconds to play, Evan Patterson was fouled and his shot just rimmed out. Patterson missed the first free throw, and the Rams call timeout. Patterson intentionally missed the second free throw, but Texas Wesleyan was called for a lane violation.
The Rams fouled immediately and got the ball back when Jonathan Rickett missed the first of a one-and-one, but Nino Etienne’s three at the buzzer just missed its mark.
For the game, the Rams out shot the Lions 51%-41% and dominated the boards 39-22. However, 22 turnovers led to 21 points for the Lions.
Evan Patterson led the Rams with 19 points. Kelvin Williams added 13 and Dane Dmitrovic scored 12. Reggie Dunn led the Lions with 18 points. The game marked the second straight first round exit for the Rams at the Red River Tournament and likely ended their run at a national title defense. Texas Wesleyan’s record stands at 19-10. |
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