FORT WORTH, Texas - Freshman guard Aaron Smith hit eight three-pointers and scored 28 points to help lead Texas Wesleyan over St. Gregory's, 91-70, Tuesday evening at the Sid Richardson Gymnasium.

     Senior forward David Johnson also tallied 28 points on 11-of-17 shooting and added 10 rebounds to give the Rams their first victory of the season.

     "We improved in a lot of areas compared to Saturday night's game," head coach Terry Waldrop said. "However, we are still a long way from where we want to be as a team."

     Texas Wesleyan (1-2) jumped out to an early 16-7 lead at the 13:42 mark of the first half. Johnson rattled off nine points, which included a thunderous dunk and a free throw for a three-point play with 14:46 left in the first half.

     The Rams would increase their lead to 39-12, with 5:48 left in the first half. St. Gregory's (2-2) would turn the ball over seven times during this span. Smith made two shots from behind the arc and a fast-break layup during the 23-5 run.

     Smith finished with a team-high 14 points in the first half to give Texas Wesleyan a 49-27 lead at the break.

     "It was a key for us to establish something early and we were able to that," Waldrop said. "David and Aaron got it going and the team followed."

     In the second half, a three-point basket by Brad Evans cut the Ram lead to 58-41 at the 14:54 mark, but that was as close as the Cavaliers would get.

     Texas Wesleyan would close out the game on some hot shooting by Smith and Johnson as the two combined for 22 points down the stretch.

     "We recruited Aaron because we knew he could shoot," Waldrop said. "His shot selection was good and capitalized on his open looks."

     Smith finished the night 10-of-17 from the field with three rebounds and a steal. Junior forward Joey Gladney tallied 12 points six rebounds and five assists.

     Texas Wesleyan finished the evening shooting a season-high 57 percent (35-62) from the field and 55 percent (11-20) from behind the arc. The Rams also shot 56 percent (10-18) from the charity stripe. They also won the battle of the boards, outrebounding the Cavaliers, 43-38.

     The Rams will be back in action Friday, when they travel to compete in the Pizza Hut Warrior Classic in Sterling, Kan. They will take on Tabor College at 4 p.m. on Friday and host Sterling College at 8 p.m. on Saturday evening.