LIONS UPSET #18 RAMS IN SEMIFINALS
March 7, 2008

Box Score

WAXAHACHIE, TX:  The Texas Wesleyan University men’s basketball team (20-11) found out how hard it is to defeat a team three times in one season, particularly in a rivalry contest, on Friday.  Langston University (14-12) topped the Rams 66-49 in semifinal action at the Red River Athletic Conference Tournament.

Texas Wesleyan crashed the boards in the first half, out rebounding Langston 24-16.  Seven unanswered points gave the Rams their largest lead at 18-13.  Langston came back to snag the lead at 21-20 with under two minutes to play, but the Rams closed the half with a dunk from Hector Mukweyi and led 22-21 at the intermission.

In the second half, everything that could go wrong for Texas Wesleyan did go wrong.  After going 0-for-3 in the first half, Langston’s Geremie Allison hit his first five three-point attempts in the second half, as the Lions started the frame on a 21-10 run to open a double-figure lead.

Allison went on to burry two more three’s, and Langston led by as many as 26, on their way to the 66-49 win.

Texas Wesleyan guards Fred Eshon and Kennith Gober both found themselves in foul trouble early in the second half.  Meanwhile the Rams defense allowed Langston to hit at a 71% clip in the second half, while the Lions out rebounded the Rams 15-10 in the period.

Eshon led the Rams with 13 points.  Mukweyi had 10 points and eight rebounds, while Dalane Finley added 11 points and seven boards.

Allison posted a game-high 23 points.

“You have to give Langston credit,” Waldrop said.  “They hit some very difficult shots and it is awfully hard to beat a team three times.”

Texas Wesleyan will now await an at large bid to the NAIA National Tournament.  With 20 wins and a national ranking of 18th, the Rams have a very strong case for inclusion in the tournament which will be held March 19-25, in Kansas City, MO.