RAMS TAKE BIG WIN OVER PAUL QUINN
January 14, 2007

Box Score

FORT WORTH, TX:  The Texas Wesleyan University men’s basketball team (11-6) remained unbeaten in Red River Athletic Conference play at 4-0 with an 86-75 win over Paul Quinn College on Monday.

Paul Quinn broke Texas Wesleyan’s streak of six consecutive games in which they held their opponent under 70 points.  However the Rams did hold an explosive Tiger attack 29 points under their average of 104 in four conference games.

The Rams came out wanting to slow the tempo down from the start, using most of their 35 seconds on each possession.  The Rams then needed to shoot a high percentage offensively to make each possession count, and they did so, shooting 50.8% from the field in the game.

The first half saw the lead change hands eleven times.  After a layup from Hector Mukweyi gave the Rams a four-point cushion in the closing minute, Johnathan Alexander scored on a fast break to send the Tigers to the locker room trailing 37-35.

The Rams controlled the second half and led by as many as 11, 75-64, with 4:25 to play.  However a three from Jazz Henderson, a steal form Cedric Brooks, and a layup from Damien Chisholm quickly cut the gap to five points.

Paul Quinn sent Texas Wesleyan to the free throw line on each of their last six possessions, and the Rams hit 8-of-11 to pull away for the 86-75 win.

The Rams dominated the boards 41-26 and led 48-26 on points in the paint.  They offset a 16-2 deficit on the fast break by outscoring Paul Quinn 18-2 on second chance opportunities.

Five Rams reached double-figures in scoring.  Dane Dmitrovic and Mukweyi patrolled the paint together for much of the contest.  Dmitrovic finished with a career-high 20 points and eight rebounds.  Mukweyi turned in a double-double with 10 points and 11 boards.  Fred Eshon added 16 points, Kennith Gober 13, and Dalane Finley 10 for Texas Wesleyan.

Henderson led the Tigers with 24 points while Chisholm finished with 17.

“This was a team win,” commented Terry Waldrop.  “We did what we had to do to beat a good basketball team tonight.”

The Rams will get little rest as they turn around and host Langston University on Wednesday.  That RRAC contest is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. start in the Sid Richardson Center.