Rams snap losing streak with 87-67 win

The Rams (7-11) ended their eight-game losing streak and won their first conference game of the season with a commanding 87-67 win over the Texas A&M-Commerce Lions.

"We're excited. It's good for us, our guys have been working hard," Coach Fred Rike said. "We've lost a lot of close games and sometimes when you lose games like that back to back, in succession, guys have a tendency to get their heads down, and I was worried about our guys, but they kept fighting."

The Rams fight included several key 3-pointers througout the game

Senior forward LaDonn Huckaby, who led the team in scoring with 17 points, had four 3-pointers.

Freshman guard Justin Walling had three, junior guard Javae King-Gilchrist had two and senior guard Joey Lenox had three for a combined total of 12 3-pointers for the Rams.

Lenox said he received extra motivation from an opposing taunt.

"That kind of stuff always motivates me," said Lenox. "It does get under my skin, but I know I'm going to keep playing hard and go at it."

Texas A&M Commerce senior forward Desmond King stole the ball early in the first period from Lenox who was dribbling past the half court line and then decided to do some high-step showboating before finishing the layup.

According to Lenox, before the game, Rike said they had King Kong on their back with this eight-game losing streak. Now it is over.

Lenox said the team will now focus on turning this win into several with seven of their last 10 games at home where they are 5-2 at home, but winless on the road with an 0-8 record and 2-1 on neutral courts.

"Seven of our last 10 conference games are at home." Rike said. "We'll make the playoffs if we take care of home court. You get in the conference tournament; anything can happen."

The schedule indicates that six of the seven home games are conference games, but these Rams are looking to make every contest go into the win column.

Nine of the 10 remaining games are conference games, so the team that has a 1-8 conference record could still make the playoffs with a possible 17-11 record.

There is optimism and hope brewing in the Rams locker room at Junell Center and if you're a fan, you should be smiling.