Complete Box Score

ODESSA, Texas – Reigning NAIA National Player of the Week Charncey Ephraim scored 20 points in the second half as the Falcons came back from a nine-point halftime deficit to take the lead over the Rams late in the game. Freshman Brad Schilder, however, stepped up for Wesleyan, scoring ten points late, and David Johnson rejected several Falcon shots to help the Rams recapture the lead and win in Odessa, 77-67.

Aaron Whaley and James Whitfield lit up the scoreboard in the first half for Wesleyan, combining to hit seven of nine three-point attempts to help the Rams build up an early lead. Joey Gladney also chipped in, scoring eight points, as the Rams jumped out to a 39-30 lead at halftime.

Ephraim then seemingly took over the game. He hit seven field goals after the break, including a three-pointer, to help the Falcons climb back into the contest. His bucket at the six-minute mark gave UT-Permian Basin a brief lead, but the Rams charged back. Whaley continued to shoot well, hitting two more buckets and eight free throws to score 12 in the half, and Schilder hit five of eight field goals – including four in the final minutes – as Wesleyan won going away, 77-67.

The Falcons shot an even 40 percent from the floor in the contest, connecting on 26 of 65 attempts. The Rams managed only 25 of 67, but buried five more three-pointers and seven more free throws to secure the win.

Ephraim finished with 33 points on 12 of 28 shooting for the Falcons. He also pulled down a game-high 15 rebounds. Cole Dickerson finished with 14 points, and Alfred Acosta came off the bench to score 11. Larry Burford and Andre Robinson each posted five assists.

Whaley paced the Rams with 26 points, hitting seven of 12 from the field and four of seven three-point attempts. He was also perfect in eight attempts from the free throw line. Whitfield finished with 19 points and added a team-high four assists and four steals. Schilder finished with 13 points and ten rebounds – his first double-double of the season, and Gladney finished with 12 points and 11 rebounds for his fifth double-double of the year, second in a row, and third in the last five games. David Johnson, the only other Ram to score in the game, finished with just seven points, but recorded a season-high eight blocks, with seven coming in the second half.

The Rams improve to 19-8 on the year, 11-4 in conference play. They travel to Tyler on Monday to face a tough Texas College team. The Steers, who lost 80-73 in Fort Worth on January 13, are the only Red River Conference team to beat NAIA #1 Houston Baptist University this season. The Rams travel to Austin on Saturday to face Huston-Tillotson, then return home next Monday to face Houston Baptist. All games begin at 7:30 PM.