RAMS AND EAGLES BATTLE AGAIN
November 7, 2006

Box Score

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK:  In a rematch of last season’s NAIA Sweet 16 game, the sixth ranked Texas Wesleyan University men’s basketball (1-1) team took on #25 Oklahoma Christian University (2-0) on Tuesday.  In an intense battle, Oklahoma Christian came out with a 70-61 win.

In the first half, the Rams led by as many as eight at 21-13.  However, the Eagles chipped away and took their first lead of the game at 31-29.  With under a minute to play in the period, Justin Loewe gave the Rams a one-point edge when a pair of free throws brought the score to 35-34, but Keith Harris knocked down a jumper to send OC to the locker room with a 36-35 edge.

With seven minutes to play, the Rams trailed 54-50 when Oklahoma Christian made their run.  The Eagles outscored the Rams 10-2 over the following four minutes.  By the time Texas Wesleyan’s offense came around there was not enough time to make a comeback.

Evan Patterson led the Rams with 20 points.  CJ Higginbotham finished with 11, and Justin Loewe contributed seven points in his first game at Texas Wesleyan.  OC’s Keith Harris led all scorers with 28 points.

Although disappointed with the outcome, head coach Terry Waldrop was pleased with his team’s intensity.  “This was the first time in this kind of environment for many of our players,” Waldrop said.  “I thought we competed well.  We were in foul trouble all night and the game still came down to a three minute stretch.”

Waldrop went on to comment, “The level of intensity for a November game was phenomenal.  It’s disappointing not to win, but it was a learning experience.  We learned a lot about ourselves.  This was two legitimate top-ten caliber teams going at it tonight.”