RAMS KNOCK OFF DIVISION I LIONS
November 19, 2005

Box Score

HAMMOND, LA:  The Texas Wesleyan University men’s basketball team traveled to Hammond, LA, today to take on NCAA Division I foe Southeastern Louisiana University in an exhibition contest.  The Rams shocked the Lions and came away with a 76-69 win.

Southeastern, who made the field of 64 last season after going 24-9, jumped out to a 12-2 lead and maintained that margin at 26-16 with just over eight minutes remaining in the first half.  The Rams then made a statement with a 10-2 run that put them right back in the contest. 

With 1:03 on the clock, Khayri McKinney hit a three to pull the Rams within a point at 32-31.  They would go to the locker room trailing 34-32 but with momentum on their side.

In the second half, a dunk from Scott Reasoner cut the margin back to one at 45-44 with 15:01 to play.  A minute later, Reasoner scored again to put the Rams on top, and Brad Schilder then converted a three point play to stretch the lead to four at 49-45.

Texas Wesleyan enjoyed their largest lead at 56-49 with 11:46 on the clock.  Southeastern tied the game at 56, but a pair of free throws by Ben Hunt put the Rams back on top.  Jonathan Walker scored to tie the game at 58, but McKinney hit a trey to put the Rams ahead for good at 61-58.

The Lions trailed by just four (71-67) with a 1:10 to play, but the Rams hit 5-of-6 free throws in the final minute to seal the 76-69 win.

After struggling to get to the free throw line in their previous two games, losses to #13 Oklahoma City and #10 LSU-Shreveport, the Rams hit 31-of-33 free throws against the Lions.

McKinney led the Rams with 20 points while Hunt turned in a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds.  Schilder and Reasoner finished with 15 and 13 respectively. 

“This was a total team effort,” said Head Coach Terry Waldrop.  “Our free throw shooting was key and the outcome was also a tribute to our defensive effort.”  Texas Wesleyan held the Lions to just 35% shooting for the game.

“We challenged this team with some incredibly tough games early and we have more on the schedule,” Waldrop continued.  “This showed the resiliency of this team.  We lost two close ones to very good teams, but still came in here and got the job done against a team that was in the dance last year.”

The Rams will take on another member of the Southland Conference when they travel to Nacogdoches, TX, to take on Stephen F. Austin University on November 22.  That game is scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m.