Ft. Worth, Texas -- The Texas Wesleyan University Rams got 74 points from their bench, including a game-high 34 from Jerell Ellis that powered a 111-101 win over the No. 10-ranked Mid-America Christian University Evangels in the Sooner Athletic Conference opener for both teams today (Dec. 5) in Ft. Worth, Texas. 

The key stretch in the game came when the Evangels led 77-75 and the Rams used 12 points from BJ Batts to fuel a 17-4 spurt that put TWU in front by a 92-81 margin at the 6:31 mark of the second half. 

The Evangels could get no closer than seven the rest of the way, having trouble making any headway as the Rams sank 14 free throws over the final 5:56 of the contest. 

The first half saw the Evangels (8-2, 0-1 SAC) get off to a strong start and build the lead as high as 11 at 30-19 at the 9:36 mark. 

The Evangels maintained a nine-point lead before the Rams tied the score on two treys from Ellis and a trey from Batts that made it 51-51 with 44 seconds left in the half. 

Devonse Reed then scored to put MACU on top 53-51 at the break. 

Reed led the Evangels with 21 points and seven rebounds. Bryon Miller scored 20 and Chris Runnels contributed a personal season-high of 18 points on 9-of-11 from the field. Nick Tate added 15 points, while Malcolm Mann had nine points and team-high eight assists. 

In addition to Ellis' 34 points, the Rams (7-2, 1-0 SAC) got 22 points and eight assists off the bench from Dion Rogers along with 18 points off the bench from Batts. Chris Gracela had a game-high 10 boards for TWU. 

The Evangels will next play an exhibition game Tuesday evening (Dec. 8) at NCAA D-II West Texas A&M University at 6 p.m. in Canyon, Texas.