Ram seniors bring down the Dustdevils

The game was close throughout the first half, as neither team exceeded the other by more than 4 points in the first quarter and 8 points in the second. The Rams took the lead, ending the first half 28-34.

In the third quarter, the Rams began to pull away from the Dustdevils with, at their highest, a 21-point lead. In the final quarter of the game, the Rams’ lead shrunk, and with three minutes and 22 sec­onds left, the score was 65-68.

Two layups by senior Marcel Pettway, one layup by senior An­dres Ibarguen, and a 3-pointer from senior Collin Turner reestablished a 10-point barrier that the Rams carried to the end of the second half.

“We always talk about protecting the home court, and that's what we did here all year long,” Pettway said.

The top scorers of the game were all seniors. Turner led the game with 22 points, but Ibarguen was right behind him with 17. Cam­ron Reedus and Pettway both followed with 12 points.

Reedus and Pettway both recorded a double-double, while Ibarguen scored his 11th double-double of the season.

The team’s se­niors were acknowl­edged at the end of the game and present­ed with framed action photos of themselves.

The Rams are now 18-6 overall and 14-6 in conference. They have two more games until the Lonestar Conference Tournament and the NCAA Division II Regional tournament.

“The rest of the season, we control our own fate,” Pettway said. “It’ll take a lot of effort and willpower, but with this team, I know we can make a deep run in both tournaments, if not win the whole thing.”

Regardless of the team winning their final home game and seniors being presented their final awards, Reedus said his direction hasn’t shifted at all.

“Honestly it hasn’t really set in yet, simply because the mis­sion isn’t over,” Reedus said. “We still have a good chance at winning a championship, so I’m focused on that.”