LADY RAMS IMPROVE TO 4-1

November 17, 2007

Box Score

LITTLE ROCK, AR:  The Texas Wesleyan University women’s basketball team took a 75-68 win at Philander Smith College in the “Geese” Ausbie Thanksgiving Tournament on Saturday.  With the win, the Lady Rams improved to 4-1, marking their best start since 2000.

In the first half, the Lady Rams out shot the Panthers 36% - 24%, and nearly got a double-double from Britany Turner who poured in nine points and grabbed seven boards in the period.  However the Panthers scored 11 points from the free throw line to keep the contest close, 33-27 at the half.

In the second half, the Lady Rams stepped up the offense and hit at a 54% clip.  The two teams traded buckets until Sheleatha Simmons got hot midway through the period.  Simmons scored six points in two minutes as the Rams opened a 13-point advantage at 57-44.

The Panthers made things interesting in the final minutes.  After steadily chipping away at the Rams’ advantage, Miesha Williams’ fourth three-pointer of the contest chopped the lead down to three points at 71-68 with twelve seconds to play.  However, Texas Wesleyan hit each of its final six free throws to seal the 75-68 win.

Texas Wesleyan dominated the paint, out scoring Philander Smith 46-22 and out rebounding the Panthers 48-45.

Five Lady Rams reached double-figures in scoring, led by Simmons’ career-high 22 points.  Britannia Champion turned in a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.  Brittany Turner, who played only 22 minutes after getting into foul trouble early in the second half, just missed a third straight double-double with 14 points and nine boards.  Moneke Smallwood finished with 13 points while Andria Mitchell added 10.

Texas Wesleyan was the only undefeated team in the tournament after defeating Williams Baptist College on Friday.  Brittany Turner was named Most Valuable Player after averaging 12 points and 11 rebounds in the two games.