RAMS REBOUND FOR 72-62 WIN
November 25, 2006

WC vs. TWU Box Score

USF vs. SAGU Box Score

FORT WORTH, TX:  The Texas Wesleyan University men’s basketball team (6-2) took a 72-62 win over Westmont College (3-1) on the final day of the Texas Shootout at the Sid Richardson Center.  The first game of the day went to the University of Sioux Falls (7-1), 57-47 over Southwestern Assemblies of God University (2-5).

The Rams out rebounded Westmont 38-22, got to the free throw line 30 times, and rode a monster game from Evan Patterson to a big win.

In the first half, the teams rolled through five ties and four lead changes.  Texas Wesleyan held a slim 31-29 lead at the break.

After the game’s 10th tie at 45 with 9:53 remaining, Texas Wesleyan took control with an 11-2 run.

Westmont whittled the lead down to four at 66-62 in the final minute, but Patterson and CJ Higginbotham went 4-for-4 from the free throw line to ice the game.

Patterson matched his career-high with 31 points to go with 9 rebounds.  Nino Etienne added 13 points, Higginbotham had 11, and Kelvin Williams scored 10 for the Rams.  Westmont was led by Andrew Schmalbach’s 17 points.

“I thought our defense was much better today,” said head coach Terry Waldrop.  “They’re a good team, and they shoot very well, but we had great balance in rebounding and we did not give them any second chances in the second half.”

About the final minutes of a close ball game Waldrop credited his team’s work in practice. “We condition exceptionally hard so that we can make those plays down the stretch.”

In the first game of the day, Sioux Falls was led by 28 points from Dylan Kvalle.  SAGU’s Jeremy Bowman led his team with 16 points.

The Rams are back in action next weekend when they travel to Oklahoma City, OK, for the Oklahoma City University Classic.  They will take on St. Gregory’s University at’ 6:00 p.m. on Friday.