Complete Box Score

WAXAHACHIE, Texas-The men’s basketball team, hoping to continue their season-opening winning streak, faced Rhema Bible College in Waxahachie at the Pepsi Classic hosted by Southwest Assemblies Of God on Friday evening. They prevailed 90-72, but it took a great effort from the bench to get the job done. The game also marked the debut of David Peoples, who has been rehabilitating from foot surgery.

The Rams dominated the beginning of the game as they pressed from tip-off. The relentless pressure applied resulted in numerous turnovers and a big, early lead for the Rams. This was a lead that was never overcome by the Eagles of Rhema. The defensive combination of a full-court press and a half-court 2-3 zone kept the Rhema’s shooters under control.

The Rams did, however, have to call on their bench early because of David Johnson’s foul trouble. Quality minutes were put in by Albert Tally and Brandon Hobbs in the first frame to replace the sitting Johnson. The team’s offense was led by the on-target shooting of Brad Schilder and James Whitfield. Both shot right around the 50-percent mark in the first half, and helped Wesleyan to a 45-37 halftime advantage.

For the Eagles in the first half, Shannon Coleman led on both ends of the floor. He connected on nearly half of his attempts and trapped several rebounds. As a team, Rhema was successful on 15 of their 34 attempts from the floor in the half.

Energy was a big concern for the Rams at the beginning of the second half, as they seemed to come out a bit sluggish. Fairly early, head coach Terry Waldrop called on Joey Gladney to spark his team. Gladney’s hustle and effort ignited the Rams, and they came alive in the second frame. David Johnson returned, and showed what he’s capable of this season with a giant swat of an Eagle shot attempt. With that block, the entire Rams squad stepped it up to the next level.

After Rhema tied the game at 68 with eight minutes remaining, the Rams defense gelled and shut down the Eagles. The Rams ended the game on 22-4 run thanks to outstanding defensive plays by Whitfield and Johnson and the solid offensive efforts of Schilder, Gladney, and Johnson.

Gladney initiated Wesleyan’s scoring attack in the second half. He would finish with 12 points on 5-7 shooting and four rebounds in only 15 minutes played. Schilder, however, remained consistent throughout the entire contest as he hit six of his 12 shots from the floor, including 80-percent from the three point line, and made a perfect five out of five from the free line to end up with a team-high 21 points. Johnson’s big second half left him with 16 points, 8 boards and three blocks. Whitfield and Peoples both finished with 11 points. The Rams shot 48.6-percent from the field, including a scorching 50-percent from beyond the money line, for the game.

Coleman led Rhema in scoring and rebounds with tallies of 20 points and 13 boards. Nick Cline and Carlos White added 10 points respectively, and Brent Lindskov came off the bench to put in 12 points. The Eagles shot only 41.9-percent as a squad for the game.

The Rams return to action tomorrow night here in Waxahachie, as they put their 5-0 record on the line against Dallas Christian College at 2 PM.