LANGSTON, Okla. - Senior Ashley Walker's 17 points and seven rebounds were not enough as Langston defeated Texas Wesleyan, 61-45, Monday evening in Red River Conference play.

     Langston (8-9, 8-3 RRAC) jumped out to an early 9-2 lead at the 14:46 mark of the first half. The Lady Rams turned the ball over three times during the stretch, while the Lady Lions picked up three offensive rebounds.

     Texas Wesleyan (11-5, 7-2 RRAC) fought back with an 11-6 run over the next 10 minutes to close the gap. Walker led the charge with two free throws and a jumper.

     The Lady Lions re-established control with a 9-4 run to end the first half. Jessica James led the way with four points.

     In the second half, Langston increased its lead to 18, at the 11:52 mark and never looked back.

     The Lady Lions forced Texas Wesleyan into 24 turnovers and killed the Lady Rams on the boards, outrebounding them, 47-29.

     Texas Wesleyan shot 35 percent (17-48) from the field and 63 percent (10-16) from the free-throw line. The Lady Rams also shot 14 percent (1-7) from behind the arc.

     Langston shot 35 percent (22-63) from the floor and 79 percent (15-19) from the charity stripe. The Lady Lions also shot 17 percent (2-12) from the three-point line.

     Junior Kashae Townsend pulled down 10 rebounds while freshman Stephanie Sewell led the Lady Rams with six assists.

     The loss drops Texas Wesleyan two games back of conference-leader Houston Baptist. They are second place by themselves.

     The Lady Rams will be back in action Saturday at 5:30 p.m., when they host conference-rival Texas A&M-International at the Sid Richardson Gymnasium.