RAMS DROP RRAC OPENER
December 3, 2005

FORT WORTH, TX: The Texas Wesleyan University men’s basketball team (2-4) opened Red River Athletic Conference action on Saturday.  Unfortunately, the Rams suffered a 79-71 loss at the hands of Jarvis Christian College (4-0).

The Rams came out cold in the first half, and Jarvis jumped out to a quick 10-2 lead.  Jarvis outshot Texas Wesleyan 47%-28% in the first half and led 34-25 at the break.

The Bulldogs opened their largest lead of the game at 45-31 with 15:39 to play.  The Rams were able to regroup and get back in the game with a 9-3 run.  The Rams cut the deficit to one at 57-56, and took their first lead of the game on a jumper by Nino Etienne that brought the score to 58-57 with 6:35 remaining.

Khayri McKinney then hit a three to put the Rams up by four, 61-57, but Jarvis’ Brandon Faulkner responded with a trey to cut the margin to one.  The two teams went back and forth for several minutes until the Bulldog’s Demarion Crite hit a three after a Wesleyan turnover to put his team up 69-64 with 1:43 on the clock.  Jarvis hit 8-of-9 free throws down the stretch and held on for the 79-71 win.

Texas Wesleyan outrebounded Jarvis 44-40, but the Bulldogs outshot the Rams 47%-41% from the field.

Khayri McKinney led the Rams with a game-high 20 points.  Nino Etienne scored 12 of his 14 points in the second half.  Ben Hunt added 12 points and 9 boards.  Willie Richards led the Bulldogs with 18 points.