Daytona Beach, Fla. – The Angelo State men's basketball team closed their 2023 with a 101-98 win over No. 6 West Liberty on Monday afternoon at the Daytona Beach Shootout. The Rams shot 64 percent from three-point range to help them take down last season's national runner-ups.

The 101 points are the most the Rams have ever scored against a ranked opponent; this is also the Rams' second win over a ranked opponent this season. This marks the first time since the 2014-15 season that the Rams have defeated two ranked opponents in a season.

The Rams entered the intermission with a 62-49 lead over the Hilltoppers, shooting 58.8 percent from the field and 79.6 percent from three-point range in the first half.

The Hilltoppers outscored the Rams by ten points in the second half; however, the Rams were able to hold onto the win thanks to made free throws from Willie Guy and Carvell Teasett, as well as a made dunk by Trey Farrer with seven seconds left that gave the Rams a four-point lead.

Keyshawn Embery-Simpson led all players with 29 points on 10-of-19 shooting from the field; the Oklahoma native made seven of his ten attempts from beyond the arc.

Kevon Godwin scored 21 points, his fifth game this season with 20 or more points. Godwin made half of his attempts from the field and three; Godwin also dished out seven assists, his fourth game this season with six or more assists.

Guy and Teasett had 13 points apiece; Guy led the team with two steals, and Teasett went 4-of-5 from deep.

Trey Farrer scored 12 points and grabbed eight rebounds; the Rams out-rebounded the Hilltoppers 39-34.

The Rams improve to 10-1 on the season and ride into 2024 behind a nine-game winning streak. The Rams return home on January 4^th to take on Western New Mexico.