RAMS vs. STARS GOES DOWN TO THE WIRE
December 3, 2006

Box Score

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK:  Texas Wesleyan had the ball down by one with a chance at the game’s final shot.  Sound familiar?  Although many of the names have changed, the first meeting between the Texas Wesleyan University men’s basketball team (7-3) and Oklahoma City University (10-0) mirrored last season’s national championship game.  Unfortunately that final shot did not go down, and OCU came away with a 75-74 win.

Both teams led by as many as six points in the first half, but Oklahoma City took the advantage at halftime 39-34.  The Rams stormed back in the second half.  They tied the game at 41, and then led until OCU regained a 70-68 lead inside of the three-minute mark.

In the final minute Nick Covington knocked down a three-pointer to give OCU a 75-72 lead with 50 seconds to play.  The Rams called timeout, and head coach Terry Waldrop decided to go for a quick two and then foul an OCU team that has struggled at the free-throw line.  Coming out of the timeout, Evan Patterson got a quick layup bringing the score to 75-74.

With 20 seconds to play, the Rams fouled Covington who missed the front end of a one-and-one.  In the final seconds, the Rams got the ball back into Patterson’s hands, but the final shot did not go down.  With three seconds to play, the Rams fouled Willie Irick who missed a pair of free throws.  However, the Rams were unable to get another shot off.

 “Our last two games have come down to the final seconds,” Waldrop commented.  “I believe OCU is the best team in the country right now, but we had shot at them.  We led most of the second half, and it shouldn’t have come down to a last second shot.  But, it was a one possession game against a very good opponent.”

Patterson led all scorers with 26 points to go with 12 rebounds.  Nine Etienne and Kelvin Williams each chipped in 13 points for the Rams.  Irick led the Stars with 17 points.  Texas Wesleyan continued to dominate the boards, taking a 37-25 rebounding advantage.  The Rams also outscored the Rams 24-16 in the paint; however, the Stars shot 53% from the field while holding Texas Wesleyan to 49%.