Complete Box Score

FORT WORTH, Texas - With strong inside performances from the trio of Ashley Walker, Shawndrika Courtney, and Julia Holmes, the Lady Rams escaped with a three point victory in Saturday’s non-conference match-up against the Lady Lobos of Sul Ross State University.

In the first half, the Lady Rams jumped out to a quick lead. After consecutive buckets by Courtney, Walker, and Holmes extended Wesleyan’s lead to 14-6, the Lady Rams looked as though they might put the game away early. However, the Lady Lobos began to apply constant full-court pressure, and were able to force Wesleyan into a series of turnovers. Sul Ross junior April Ramirez found her shooting touch, and the Lady Lobos stormed back with a 20-6 run, taking a 26-20 lead into the break.

Sul Ross continued to press as the second half began, and managed to extend the lead to eight with 15 minutes to play. Then, with 14:19 left in the contest, the momentum of the game shifted back to the Lady Rams when Ramirez was called for a technical foul after celebrating an easy lay-up. Wesleyan senior Ertasha Jackson hit both free throws, Ramirez was removed from the game, and the Lady Rams’ slowly began to retake control of the game. Wesleyan pounded the ball inside to Courtney and Walker, who, when they didn’t have an easy lay-up, drew fouls and made nearly every free throw. Then, with just under seven minutes remaining, Holmes hit a baseline 10-foot turnaround jumper to bring the score to 48-46, giving the Lady Rams their first lead since midway through the opening frame.

Wesleyan would hold the lead for the remainder of the game, but the ending proved to be closer than head coach Stacy Francis would have liked.

With a two point lead and under 20 seconds to play, Holmes was fouled on a short jumper. The shot wouldn’t fall, but she headed to the line with a chance make it a two-possession lead for the Lady Rams. She missed the first, but knocked down the second to extend Wesleyan’s lead to three. The Lady Lobos brought the ball up the court quickly and passed it around the arc, trying to find an open look at a three-pointer. With 3 seconds left, they found it when Sul Ross senior guard Marisol Arinevas managed to get open on the left side of the floor. She appeared to rush the shot, however, and it clanged off the back of the rim, falling to the floor as time expired.

Wesleyan’s Walker led all players with 20 points, and pulled down 12 rebounds for her second double-double of the season. Courtney scored 16, with half coming from the free throw line, and pulled down eight boards. Holmes had 14 points and six rebounds.

Despite playing only 26 minutes, Ramirez led the Lady Lobos with 17 points and was second with four rebounds. Arenivas scored 11, all in the second half. Sophomore Indira Franco led Sul Ross with 5 boards.

The Lady Rams, who improved to 4-1 with the win, return to action at 3 PM on Sunday against Howard Payne University.