SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The No. 13 Angelo State Rams Basketball team remained undefeated earning a 96-84 win over Missouri Western State in its opening game of the St. Mary's Thanksgiving Classic on Friday, November 27.

ASU improved to 6-0 overall and 3-0 at neutral sites with the victory. The Griffons dropped to 2-3 on the season with the loss. This marks the first time since the 2008-09 season that the Rams have started with this same record. It was ASU's rebounding that proved to make the difference for the team in Friday's match-up. The Rams posted 48 rebounds as a team with three different players each chalking up five offensive rebounds apiece.

"Our rebounding was outstanding today," said ASU Head Men's Basketball Coach Cinco Boone. "We out rebounded them by 17 and Stedman [Allen], Omari [Gudul] and Thomas [Tshikaya] all had five offensive rebounds apiece and it starts there with big time second opportunities"   

Stedman Allen dropped in 17 points for his fourth game this year with at least 15 points. He added to his offensive numbers by adding 5 offensive rebound to the mix. Omari Gudul and Thomas Tshikaya also each had five offensive boards. Gudul tallied 10 total rebounds for the night adding eight points and an assist on offense. This was the senior's fourth game this season with double figure boards. Tshikaya followed closely behind with a total of nine rebounds, seven points, an assist and a steal.

After getting off to a slow start in the game the Rams improved to shooting 62.5% from beyond the arch and 46.7% from the field in the second half. After finishing their last game only hitting 60% from the line, ASU returned to its solid plus 70% form from the foul line posting a 75.7 free throw percentage. The team also took advantage of the second chance points racking up 20 to MWSU's nine.

"We made some adjustments at halftime and I think they helped us a little, but I really think they guys just anchored in and got some stops," commented Boone on the improved second half play.

With the score tied at 49-49, Tre Bennett would roll in a routine layup to get Angelo State jump stated on a 10-0 run that would also see points from Prince Foster, Allen and a key block from Gudul. This would be the final lead change of the afternoon for the Rams as they made it as much as a 17 point margin.

Bennett had an outstanding afternoon notching a season high 25 points. He was 9-17 from the field and 4-7 from the arch. This was his third consecutive game with at least 20 points and fourth overall this season. The senior led the team with 3 assists and contributed four defensive rebounds and a steal to the Rams defensive efforts.

"Tre [Bennett] got downhill off of some pick and roll action and was able to get some layups early," added Boone on Bennett's play. "In the Second half he got loose for some 3-pointers in their zone and he just had a great game scoring the basketball."   

Rounding off the top shooters of the day, Quay king knocked down a couple of 3-pointers to give him 11 points on the afternoon. The outside shooter also marked an assist and a steal in the game. Shelton Boykin added a team third 10 points and four rebounds.

The Rams return to action Saturday, November 28 to close out the Thanksgiving Classic with a match-up against Missouri S&T at 12:45 p.m. Jeremy Bryant will be on the call for 1260 KKSA.