RAMS STIFLE LIONS
January 12, 2007

Box Score

WAXAHACHIE, TX:  The Texas Wesleyan University men’s basketball team improved to 3-0 in Red River Athletic Conference play and 10-6 overall with a 61-46 win at Southwestern Assemblies of God University (6-10, 0-3) on Saturday.

The Rams held their opponent under 70 points for a fifth consecutive game.  On Saturday their own offense started slowly as SAGU held the Rams to just 26% shooting in the first half and led 26-24 at the break.

In the second half, the Rams’ multiple match-up zone defensive package stifled the Lions.  Texas Wesleyan held SAGU to just 20 points on 6-of-17 shooting.

With 13:18 remaining in the contest, SAGU’s Brendon Johnson hit a three pointer to give the Lions a 38-37 advantage.  From that point Texas Wesleyan did not allow another field goal until Jason Rice hit a trey eleven minutes and six seconds later.  Meanwhile the Rams had used an 18-2 run to put the game away.

The run was highlighted by a pair of dunks from Aaron Scott, the second a monster slam off a back-door pass from Dane Dmitrovic.

Dmitrovic finished the game with a career-high eight assists.  Fred Eshon led all scorers with 17 points off the Texas Wesleyan bench.  Scott turned in another solid performance with 10 points, five rebounds, and three steals.

The Rams scored 22 points off of 21 turnovers, won the battle of the boards 35-27, and did not allow a single Lion to reach double-figures in scoring.

“We were really able to dominate on defense in the second half,” commented head coach Terry Waldrop.  The Rams also hit their stride offensively in the second half.  They got to the rim often and shot a blazing 61% from the field.  Good ball movement in the frame led to the Rams racking up 11 of their 15 assists.

The Rams will return to action on Monday, when they host Paul Quinn College in RRAC action.  That game is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. tip-off.