Thomas Lang's white-hot scoring and 100-percent showing from the free throw line had lifted the Rams to a 55-point second half of scoring. Courtesy photo

SHEPHERDSTOWN — Some would say it was because of the white uniforms instead of the dark blue ones the Rams wore the night before, in getting beaten by Charleston.

Others would say it was getting some of the kinks or nervousness out of the way, going from the first game of the season to the second.

Most of those in the humble crowd of about 215 would say it was the 42 points scored by senior guard Thomas Lang that carried Shepherd to an 85-79 home-court win over Bowie State last Saturday, in the closing game of the annual Clarion Hotel tournament that leads Shepherd’s season.

Lang converted 15-of-15 free throws and had seven long-range field goals in continually advancing his scoring numbers.

Lang’s was a complete reversal from the previous night’s shooting woes when he made only one field goal in the Shepherd loss.

Bowie State slowly crept out to a 36-30 halftime lead as Lang was joined by Jon Preston in keeping Shepherd as close as it was.

But when the Rams scored the first five points of the second half, they silently announced they weren’t going away for a second straight night.

Lang peppered the score book with free throws and a three-pointer as the Rams took their first lead at 45-42.

Then the Bulldogs ran off a quick eight straight points of their own to resurface with a insecure 55-48 lead.

Lang continued to chase after the Bulldog margin.

His two free throws and Cam Stephens’ runner in the lane bounced Shepherd into a 70-67 advantage.

Protecting its thin three-point lead, Shepherd picked just the right time to get its only two offensive rebounds of the second half.

Toward the close, all of Shepherd’s points came on free throws, with Lang pocketing all but one of them.

Lang’s white-hot scoring and 100-percent showing from the free throw line had lifted the Rams to a 55-point second half of scoring.

Bowie State went 20-for-28 from the foul line, but that showing paled in comparison with Lang’s unerring shooting eye.

White uniforms? Steadier nerves after opening the night before? No, it was Thomas Lang.