SHAWNEE- The No. 12 Rams, from Texas Wesleyan University (18-3, 8-2 SAC), lived up to their reputatiuon as a high scoring team, that can rebound in bunches. TWU led for nearly the entire contest, and fought off every run by the Cavs back with a run of their own, to take home the 100-79 victory.
Texas Wesleyan came into the game leading the nation in assists per game (20.947), fifth in rebounds per game (43.579), sixth in offensive rebounds per game (13.842), seventh in 3 point field goal percentage (.404), tenth in rebound margin (8.368), and thirteenth in points per game (86.737). On Saturday evening, the Rams out-rebounded the Cavaliers 39-22. TWU shot for an incredible 62.7 percent (37-59) from the field, and they shot 45.5 percent (10-22) from 3 point range.
In the first half, St. Gregory's (8-9, 4-6 SAC) fell behind early, as the Rams jumped out to a 17-5 lead only 6 minutes into the game. TWU was knocking down nearly every shot they took, and this is when Jordan Rutherford (SR/Houston, Texas) started to catch fire for the Cavs. Rutherford scored 16 of SGU's 32 points in the first half, which included him going 4 for 6 from 3 point range. The Rams were led by Dion Rogers' 14 points, and Trevon Jeffery's 8 points in the first half. At halftime the score was 45-32.
In the second half TWU just kept on knocking down shots. They shot 73.1 percent from the field, and 66.7 percent from 3 point range in the second half. The Rams had five players score at least 16 points in the game. Ryan Harris led Rams in points with 20, and he was followed by 19 point performances by Jeremy Crane and Dion Rogers. Trevon Jeffery and Najeal Young scored 16 points and had 6 rebounds a piece. Naiel Smith scored 7 points, had 8 rebounds, and dished out 4 assists.
Jordan Rutherfor's 26 points, was one point shy of tying a career high, and he also set a career high by knocking down 6, 3 pointers. Rutherford did well on the defensive end as well, by grabbing 8 rebounds and he stole the ball from the Rams 4 times. Rodney Smith (SR/Chicago, Ill.) had a big second half for SGU, in which he scored 18 of his 20 points. Smith also dished out, an impressive, 6 assists. Zachary Lemusu (SR/San Diego, Calif.) set a new career high in points, by scoring 11.
The Cavaliers will now get ready for a road contest against University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma, on Thursday at 8 PM.