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Buffs Defeat Wildcats For Lucky 13th-Straight Time, 65-55, Tuesday
Jan. 17, 2006
ABILENE, Texas - The West Texas A&M University men's basketball team defeated Abilene Christian University, 65-55, Tuesday night at ACU's Moody Coliseum. The win marks WTAMU's 13th-straight over ACU and is a successful Lone Star Conference South Division opener for the Buffs, as they improve to 12-4 overall and 1-0 in LSC South play.
WTAMU leads the all-time series with ACU, 62-21, and Tuesday was the Buffs' second 10-point win in a row at Abilene, as last year, WTAMU won, 78-68.
ACU had its three-game win streak snapped, as the Wildcats are now 7-11 overall and 2-1 in LSC South play, as ACU was denied a 3-0 division start for the first time since the 1986-87 season.
The Buffs hit 52.1 percent (25-of-48) from the field for the game, as they won for the third game in a row despite being outrebounded, as the Wildcats had a 31-28 edge on the glass. ACU shot 37.8 percent (17-of-45) from the field.
The WTAMU defense forced 22 ACU turnovers, which the Buffs converted into 25 points, while ACU only scored seven points off WTAMU's 18 turnovers.
The Buffs also dominated action in the paint to the tune of outscoring the Wildcats, 44-16.
Senior guard Steve Jackson netted a career-high 13 points, surpassing his previous high of 12 set last year at ACU, and tied a career-high with seven rebounds. Junior guard Damien Lolar netted a game-high 19 points, and had three assists and three steals, while senior forward Patrick Culver tossed in 11 points.
ACU was led by Demarcquez Rembert with 14 points, but he was 4-of-10 from the field, including 2-of-7 from 3-point land. Rembert was this week's LSC South Player of the Week after averaging over 24 points in ACU's three wins last week, hitting over 50 percent from the field and 50 percent from 3-point land. ACU, which tied a school-record by hitting 15 3-pointers in Saturday's win, hit only 5-of-23 (.217) from behind the arc Tuesday, which is three below their LSC-leading average of 8.65.
The win evens the Buffs' road record at 4-4, snapping a three-game losing streak. WTAMU overcame a 30-21 deficit with four minutes left in the first half with a 15-4 run to close out the half and take a 36-34 lead at intermission, as Jackson capped the run with a layup with 14.5 seconds.
ACU came out of halftime with five points in a row to take a 39-36 lead, but the WTAMU scored the eight straight points to go up 44-39, and the Buffs never trailed again.
The Wildcats clawed to 49-47 with 9:13 to play, but the Buffs regained control with eight unanswered points as senior guard Govinda Thomas-Carter hit a layup, then sophomore forward Tyler Cooper hit a 3-pointer from the top of the key and Jackson capped the streak with a 3-pointer from deep in the left corner with the shot clock winding down for a 57-47 lead with 4:37 to play. It was Jackson's first 3-pointer of the season.
The Buffs hit 6-of-8 free throws in the final three minutes of the game to seal the victory.
WTAMU returns home to the friendly confines of the First United Bank Center on Saturday, Jan. 21, to take on traditional-rival Angelo State University at 8 p.m. in an LSC South clash.
For ticket information, contact the WTAMU Athletics Ticket Office at 806-651-4424.
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