Lions, Rams hook-up on Thursday

Tall order awaits SAGU in Ft. Worth

Games available in video and text versions

WAXAHACHIE, Texas -- In a Thursday night doubleheader match-up against two of the best teams in the Red River Athletic Conference, the Southwestern Assemblies of God University Lady Lions and Lions will face Texas Wesleyan University in Fort Worth.

Women's College Basketball

The SAGU women’s squad, struggling with turnovers and holding leads late in recent games, are 3-7 overall and tote an 0-4 mark in games against the RRAC.

Meanwhile, Wesleyan is 8-2 and 3-1 in the Red River. Their lone league loss was in overtime at LSU-Shreveport.

The game is slated for a 5:30pm start and will be available for fans to view on a video livestream as well as a textual version of the game’s play-by-play.

Click on these links for free access:

Women's live video: http://bit.ly/uG8KfB

Women's live stats: http://www.sidearmstats.com/texaswesleyan/wbball/index.htm

For more information on TWU, visit their athletics website at www.ramsports.net.

About the Lady Rams

Under new head coach Bill Franey, the Lady Rams are very similar to last year’s team, a club that racked up a 28-6 ledger. They lead the series with SAGU, 12-10, though the Lady Lions have won three of the last five. The teams split a year ago, SAGU winning on the road, 59-56, before dropping a 63-58 decision in the Sheaffer Center.

The Ewes’ stability stems from the play of forward Octavia Mullins, TWU’s all-time leading rebounder. The 5’9 senior from Hoover, Alabama is on a tear, laying claim to an average of 13.1 boards per game. She ranks #2 in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).

While the team awaits the return to the line-up of center Veronica Mergerson, 6’2 sophomore Kayla McCray is more than filling in (11.2 ppg). The Rams play a solid brand of defense, and will occasionally apply fullcourt pressure with their second unit.
Mullins leads the blue-clad team by scoring 12.5 while senior guard Brittany White nets 12.1.

They score 73 points per game and yield 67. Kristi Alexander is the starting point guard while Nicole Terral joins her in the backcourt. TWU’s line-up consists of four seniors.

Men's College Basketball

Southwestern’s men’s crew is off their best start since they joined the NAIA. At 9-1, head coach Donnie Bostwick’s Purple Pride are ranked #27 in the nation.

They have displayed a style best described as “all out.”

Two platoons from a much-deeper team take turns like rotating tsunami storm surges. They play man-to-defense that overcomes a lack of height with speed and tenacity. SAGU is #3 in the nation steals (13.2 per game) while making 10.5 three-pointers (#2 in the NAIA) per outing.

The men’s game, also set for the Sid Richardson Center (capacity: 1,500), is scheduled to begin with a 7:30pm jump ball. Video and live stats are also provided free for fans at:

Men’s live video: http://bit.ly/saHn0E

Men’s live stats: http://www.sidearmstats.com/texaswesleyan/mbball/index.htm

About the Rams

Ranked #7 in the most recent NAIA Coaches Poll, Wesleyan matches the Lady Rams with an 8-2 record in all games while going 3-1 in the Red River. They fell at St. Thomas (7-5, 5-1 in RRAC) and at Lubbock Christian University (6-6).

TWU holds a 21-2 mastery over SAGU, including a 12-game win streak in the series. Head Coach Terry Waldrop’s horned hoopsters seldom lose to anyone at the Sid, providing an obvious challenge for the young Lions.

TWU has assembled perhaps their most talented starting line-up in a decade. The entire quintet is made up of transfers who replace last year’s 30-4 team. They have a two-pronged offensive dynamic duo in Eric Frederic and Ronnie Moss.

Frederic is 6’8 and from Florida International University. He scores at a 24.6 points per game clip while his 10.4 rebound average leads as well. Moss, a 6’2 senior guard (22.2 ppg) played at Texas Christian University before crossing town.

Junior guards Oscar Griffin (11.6 ppg) and Brian Talley (11.7 ppg), along with 6’9 senior forward Chris Britt-Black round out their probable starting five.

The Rams pour in 82 ppg and are draining 8.6 triples per game, three more than they netted in 2010-11.

Road Warriors traveling to the game

Fans planning to attend the game should take highway 287 north toward downtown Fort Worth. Exit Rosedale Avenue east and follow it to Collard Street. Turn left (north) on Collard Street. The SRC will be the third building on the left.

General admission tickets are $5. Children 12 and under are admitted free.

Saturday's Home Doubleheader

Southwestern returns home on Saturday, January 7, when they host Langston University.

Chicken Express is sponsoring “Community Night,” with fans invited to attend the game for free.

The Lady Lions and Lions will play at 5:30pm and 7:30pm respectively.

Both games will be broadcast in HD by SAGU SPORTS Live. LiveStats will also be available. Read the game preview on Friday night for details.

Contact: Mark “Link” Warde, Sports Information Director, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or at 469-658-2847.