Bobcats Drop SAC Opener at Texas Wesleyan, 77–64

College of the Ozarks could not overcome Texas Wesleyan’s second-half surge, falling 77–64 in a Sooner Athletic Conference matchup Thursday night at the Sid Richardson Center.

The Bobcats trailed just 39–33 at the break after a strong early stretch and a late first-half response, but the Rams seized control out of the locker room. Texas Wesleyan opened the second half with a 3-pointer from Daylan Hamilton and quickly pushed the margin toward double digits, using pressure defense and the offensive glass to create separation in the first game of 2026 for both teams.

College of the Ozarks set the tone early behind a hot start from Andrew Dalton. The Bobcats built a 21–11 lead in the first half when Dalton buried a 3-pointer off a feed from Brady Reynolds, capping a confident opening stretch in which the visitors shared the ball and knocked down perimeter looks. Texas Wesleyan answered with a run to erase the deficit, but a late 3-pointer by Garrett Snyder trimmed the margin to four at 37–33 in the closing minute of the half and kept the Bobcats within striking distance before two late free throws from the hosts made it 39–33 at intermission.

The decisive stretch came in the opening minutes after halftime. Hamilton’s 3-pointer on the first possession, followed by a dunk during a 17-point second-half frame, ignited a Rams run that pushed the lead into double figures. Texas Wesleyan’s activity on the defensive end fueled that push, as the Rams finished with 14 steals and converted Bobcat turnovers into 17 points. A 3-pointer by DaeVeon Scott with just over six minutes to play helped extend the margin to 62–49, and College of the Ozarks was unable to mount a final comeback despite continuing to compete to the horn.

Dalton led the Bobcats with 14 points on 5-of-11 shooting, including 2-of-7 from beyond the arc, and added four rebounds and two assists in 30 minutes. Reynolds provided an efficient frontcourt presence, finishing with nine points on 4-of-6 shooting and a team-high seven rebounds while logging 32 minutes. The Bobcats also received 20 points from the bench and connected on 9-of-24 (37.5%) from 3-point range, showing balance across the rotation.

As a team, College of the Ozarks shot 45.1% from the field (23-of-51) and 69.2% at the free-throw line (9-of-13). However, Texas Wesleyan’s edge on the glass and in the turnover battle proved critical. The Rams held a 37–27 rebounding advantage, including 13 offensive boards that led to 18 second-chance points. The Bobcats finished with 16 turnovers, while Texas Wesleyan turned 13 giveaways into only 13 points, limiting damage on its own miscues.

Hamilton paced Texas Wesleyan with 21 points on 7-of-13 shooting, including three 3-pointers, and added four steals and two blocks. Matt Nero contributed 17 points and hit key free throws late, while Montez Young Jr. posted a double-double with 13 points and a game-high 13 rebounds to anchor the interior. College of the Ozarks held the Rams to 28.6% from 3-point range, but Texas Wesleyan’s 36 points in the paint and late free throws allowed the hosts to manage the lead and close out the 77–64 decision.

The setback in the SAC opener gives the Bobcats an early benchmark in league play as the schedule turns fully to conference action. With Dalton and Reynolds setting a productive tone, and the team showing stretches of efficient offense and perimeter shooting, College of the Ozarks now turns attention to tightening ball security and finishing defensive possessions as it moves deeper into the conference slate.