Teagan Sanders

Senior forward and kinesiology major Sophia Hurtado shoots a contested three-point shot.

On Feb. 12 Texas Wesleyan Lady Rams beat the University of Science and Arts Drovers in the Sid Richardson Gymnasium in the final home game of the season [63-55]. 

The game had a slow start as the Drovers took the lead by six points. The Lady Rams relied on turnovers and a 3-pointer from junior point guard Aniyah Sanford to help close the first quarter of the game.  

Lady Rams Head Coach Scott Hyland described the first half as exactly what he was looking for.  

“We had hoped for something like the first half,” Hyland said. “I thought our first five, six people matched up pretty well with them and that we could guard them pretty well and effectively, which we did.” 

Going into the last period of the game, the score board malfunctioned delaying the end of the women’s game and the start of the following men’s game by about 30 minutes. Hyland says the mishap and gave the Lady Rams some breathing room. 

“We were in shock after that third quarter; shots weren’t going for us. I think, again, our tendency is we get a big lead, and we lose focus and other teams step it up, and we just don’t meet the challenge,” Hyland said. “I think the break might have helped us a little bit. Definitely gave them [the Lady Rams] a chance to rest and get some legs under them, but we came up and made some plays early in the quarter and got some separation.”  

Sanford described the win as a confidence boost.  

“[We] finally got a dub [win]… it’s been a rough season,” Sanford said. “Since we beat USAO, hopefully that gave us some confidence for the next game.” 

Senior guard Peyton Foster talked about the team’s mindset going into the next game. 

“To finish off the season, we have some really tough games coming up, and they’re really big wins that we need to grab to get to the postseason,” Foster said. “Keeping the same mindset; we  have to work hard, work as a team do what we do together and hopefully get that win.” 

Along with team togetherness, Foster highlighted the importance of crowd support. 

“Having everyone come out, be in the stands, it really means a lot,” Foster said.  

It’s a very bittersweet time for the Lady Rams as it’s their last home game of the season; however, Hyland knows that there’s more to come. 

“There’s no time to celebrate. We’re still battling for that eighth playoff spot with Southwestern Christian. They won tonight, so we’re still in a tie. We’ve got to win one more game than them because they have the tiebreaker,” Coach Hyland said. 

The Lady Rams’ next game is Feb. 14 on the road against Mid-America Christian University (Okla.).