Complete Box Score

FORT WORTH, Texas – Playing in their first-ever Red River Athletic Conference game, the Texas Wesleyan men’s basketball team set a high standard, dominating metroplex rival Paul Quinn College from start to finish in a 96-76 victory.

Both teams began the game shooting well, connecting on early shots to bring the score to an 8-8 tie. The Tigers then went cold, allowing the Rams to jump out to a quick lead behind the outstanding all-around play of guards James Whitfield and Aaron Whaley. Both connected on three-point baskets during the Rams’ scoring run, and both also created havoc on the defensive end, intercepting several Tiger passes and turning them into easy points at the other end. Whitfield tallied 14 points in the half on 50 percent shooting, while Whaley added 10, hitting 60 percent (75% from beyond the arc).

Brothers Kenny and David Johnson also contributed on defense for the Rams, racking up a pair of blocks each. They also corralled five total rebounds, and each added a pair of buckets. Joey Gladney came off the bench to score seven, including a three-pointer, as the Rams took a 44-32 lead into the break.

For the Tigers in the first half, Bryan Sanders showed a deft shooting touch for a big man, hitting two of three three-point attempts, and also connecting on a pair of second-chance baskets underneath. He led the Tigers with 10 points at halftime. Jeremy Haynes was second with nine.

The Rams continued the offensive onslaught as the second half began, pouring in long-range baskets with sniper-like precision. Whaley connected on all five of his second-half shots, including four from three-point range, and Gladney was perfect on two attempts from beyond the arc, as the Rams added to their lead.

David Johnson, hit with a technical foul for hanging on the rim after an attempted reverse dunk early in the second half, continued to force the Tigers to think twice about driving inside for a shot. He added three blocks, giving him five for the game and 42 for the season.

The Rams built up a 20 point lead with ten minutes remaining, and never allowed the Tigers to seriously threaten them, coasting to a 96-76 victory.

Five Rams finished the game in double figures, led by Whaley’s season-high 28. Gladney ended with 20 points, Whitfield had 19, and Kenny and David Johnson each had 10. Whaley, who shot 80 percent from the floor (a mind-boggling 88 percent from three-point range) also dished out eight assists, had six steals, and pulled down five boards. Gladney led the squad with eight rebounds, followed by the Johnson brothers with five apiece. Whitfield added 5 steals, and Kenny Johnson finished with four blocks.

The Tigers (1-5, 0-2) were led by Haynes with 22 points, followed by Solomon Sheard’s 18 and Sanders’ 16. Sanders led all players with nine rebounds.

The Rams improve to 8-2 on the season, and now stand at 1-0 in conference play. They return to action on Thursday, December 12, traveling to Waxahachie to take on Southwestern Assemblies of God University at 7:30 PM. The Rams’ next home game is on December 30 against Concordia.