SAN ANGELO, Texas – Finding a second-half surge, the Angelo State men's basketball team opened up the new year with an 80-66 victory over Oklahoma Christian on Sunday afternoon at Stephens Arena at the Junell Center.
 
 Sam Moore opened up the scoring for the Rams (2-3, 2-3 LSC) hitting an early layup for the opening score of the game. After that, OC (0-3, 0-3 LSC) hit back-to-back three-pointers from D.J. Walter and Marco Foster to go 9-3 and would control the lead for the remainder of the half.
 
The Eagles hit nine first-half threes, going up by as much as 11 points in the opening period, leading 30-19 with just over six minutes to go after Walker converted twice for OC with a layup followed by another three.
 
Angelo State found a spark to end the half, scoring nine straight points as Lavaris Duncan scored on back-to-back buckets before Devaughn Thomas converted an and-one to cut the lead to two points, 30-28. Oklahoma Christian hit three straight free throws to end the half, taking a 37-32 advantage into the break.
 
Kevon Godwin got things started in the second half for the Rams, hitting an opening period three before laying in a fast break layup to tie the game. Moments later, after Salisu Yahaya converted a dunk to tie the game once again, Moore sunk a deep three to give ASU the lead at 44-41, a lead the Rams would hold on to for the remainder of the game.
 
Paul Williams helped keep the Rams ahead, scoring all 20 of his game-high in points during the second half, including four threes to finish 4-of-8 on the day. Williams scored six straight points for the Rams with just under 10 minutes to play before a three-pointer by Moore game ASU an 11-point lead at 64-53.
 
Moore and Thomas each added 15 points in the game while Duncan tallied eight points and finished with a team-high 10 rebounds. Moore and Thomas both added seven rebounds while Godwin finished with seven points on the night.
 
Angelo State took its largest lead of the night at 14 points after Burone Edwards hit a layup to go up 69-55 with 6:31 left on the clock. The Rams held on in the closing minutes converting at the free-throw line, finishing 17-of-22 as a team.
 
The Rams are now 2-0 against Oklahoma Christian in program history. Both teams will rematch tomorrow afternoon for game two of the doubleheader at the Junell Center. Tip-off is set for 3:30 p.m.