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January 4, 2001
Tigers Lose to TWU Rams
Mac Sisson
ARKADELPHIA - Strong second half shooting was the difference as the Texas Wesleyan University Rams handed the Ouachita Baptist University Tigers an 83-70 defeat Wednesday afternoon at OBU's Bill Vining Arena in the Roy and Christine Sturgis Physical Education Center.
It was the first game back from the holidays for Mike Reynolds' Tigers (2-7) who hadn't played since a 58-90 defeat by East Central University from Ada, Oklahoma on December 9 in Arkadelphia. It also was the Tigers' third straight loss since having beaten Arkansas Baptist College, 101-92 at home on December 4.
The Tigers never completely found the handle against the Rams (5-8) as TWU measurably improved their shooting range in the last 20 minutes of action hitting 56 percent (14 of 25) of their shots from the field. The Texans also were a nemesis in three-point shooting, connecting on nine of 20 for the game for 45 percent.
Ouachita had a reasonable first half and even led at intermission by a score of 40-39. Both teams at that point were hitting about the same from the field at around 47 percent. Things fell apart in the closing half with the Tigers hitting at the same clip, but seeing their defense suffer. The more experienced Rams also held sway at the low post position in points in the paint and also easily outdistancing OBU in rebounds with a 34-27 split.
The Tigers were led in scoring by senior point guard T.J. Jones of Conway with 19 points, six rebounds, three assists and one steal. Senior forward Mauricio Watson of Panama City, Panama followed with 16 points, while junior forward Tim Lane of Cleburne, Texas responded with 14 points.
For Texas Wesleyan, Torrance Coleman and Chad Crenshaw both had 18 points, while Robert Allen added 15.
Two three-pointer by TWU's Coleman and Allen in the opening minute of the second half was enough to establish the momentum as the Rams had a 47-42 lead with 18:44 to play in the game. From that point, TWU held command over the Tigers and went out to a 15-point lead, 81-66 with 1:53 to play on another three-pointer by Allen who was three of eight from the arc.
Ouachita heads into Gulf South Conference action on Saturday against the Delta State University Statesmen (4-3) in an 8 p.m. game at Walter Sillers Coliseum in Cleveland, Mississippi. It will mark the first time that OBU has competed in basketball in the GSC since having joined the conference at the beginning of the current academic year. The game can be heard over KDEL-FM Radio (100.9) in Arkadelphia with Dr. Jeff Root at mike side.
The next Tiger home game will be on Thursday, January 11 at 8 p.m. against the Arkansas Tech University Wonder Boys.
Contact Edith Warren for ticket information: 870-245-5181
© 1999-2001 Ouachita Baptist University
