 "Photo: Rebecca Moore")
The Texas Wesleyan Women’s basketball team is currently No. 3 in the RRAC standings, headed to the conference tournament with an overall record of 19-9.
The Lady Rams have seen success this season as they rolled through conference play with an eight-game winning streak after defeating Wiley College.
Head Coach Stacy Francis said she didn’t realize the team’s winning streak until the Lady Rams reached eight.
“I was surprised of our winning streak and very proud of our team,” she said. “It was a turning point for our program. We are on the right path to be competitive in the conference.”
The streak ended Feb. 20 when the Lady Rams fell to Jarvis Christian College, 58-46.
Francis said she credits the efforts of the new recruits and the team working together for the success on the court.
“Our new recruits have made an impact on our differences this season,” Francis said. “The team chemistry is also stronger. The girls are willing to work hard and put in extra effort to better their game.”
The Lady Rams are led by two seniors this season, forward Ashley Davis and guard Keona Ray.
“The leadership has been great from our seniors,” Francis said. “They keep up the morale of the team and encourage the girls to do their best.”
Captain Keona Ray credits the success of the Lady Rams to the team’s determination to win.
“Our team chemistry is better, and we all work hard,” she said. “All of us are willing to fight back when the game gets tough and keep trying.”
Francis said the Lady Rams are shooting for nationals once they take the win at the conference tournament.
The conference tournament will begin March 4 with eight teams competing in the quarterfinals.
As the third seed in the tournament, the Lady Rams will play the sixth-seeded University of Southwest. The Lady Rams are tied with Southwestern Assemblies of God University in wins, but behind in point differential. SAGU is second in the RRAC standings. Langston University is at No 1.
“Our goal for the tournament is to make it to the final,” Francis said. “We will need to stay focused and play hard.”
The Lady Rams fell to Langston University 77-64 on Feb. 22, but Francis said she expects to play Langston University in the championship game.
The Lady Ram’s finished their season last year with a record of 8-23. As the seventh seed in the conference tournament, the Lady Rams suffered a loss to SAGU in the quarterfinals.
This year’s championship game is March 6 at SAGU.
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