Fort Worth, Texas - College of the Ozarks was unable to keep pace with Texas Wesleyan in the second half, falling 77–64 in a Sooner Athletic Conference game Thursday night at the Sid Richardson Center.

The Bobcats were within six at halftime, trailing 39–33 after a solid start and a strong finish to the first half. Texas Wesleyan took control early in the second half, opening with a three-pointer from Daylan Hamilton and stretching the lead to double figures. The Rams used strong defense and second-chance points to pull away in the first game of 2026 for both teams.

College of the Ozarks got off to a strong start led by Andrew Dalton. The Bobcats took a 21–11 lead in the first half after Dalton hit a 3-pointer from a pass by Brady Reynolds. During that stretch, College of the Ozarks moved the ball well and hit key outside shots.

Texas Wesleyan responded with a run and eventually took the lead, but a late 3-pointer by Garrett Snyder brought the Bobcats within four at 37–33 in the final minute of the half. Two free throws by the Rams closed the half with Texas Wesleyan leading 39–33.

The Rams slowly pulled away and expanded their lead in the second half, and despite a solid effort on both ends of the floor byt the Bobcats, they were unable to close the gap. 

Dalton led the Bobcats with 14 points, shooting 5-for-11 from the field and 2-for-7 from three-point range. He also had four rebounds and two assists in 30 minutes. Reynolds added nine points on 4-for-6 shooting and grabbed a team-high seven rebounds in 32 minutes. The bench scored 20 points, and the Bobcats made 9 of 24 three-point attempts (37.5%).

As a team, College of the Ozarks shot 45.1% from the field (23-for-51) and 69.2% from the free-throw line (9-for-13). Texas Wesleyan had the advantage in rebounds and turnovers. The Rams out-rebounded the Bobcats 37–27, including 13 offensive rebounds that led to 18 second-chance points. College of the Ozarks committed 16 turnovers. Texas Wesleyan had 13 turnovers, which the Bobcats turned into 13 points.

The Bobcats will look to bounce back Saturday against Nelson University.