| gobuffsgo.com |
|
Buffs' Season Comes to a Close with 95-79 Loss to SW Baptist
March 15, 2008
STEPHENVILLE, Texas - Fifth-seeded Southwest Baptist made 14 three-pointers as they surged past No. 4 seed West Texas A&M, 95-79, in game three of the NCAA South Central Regional. The Buffs, who made their 10th overall and third straight NCAA-II postseason appearance, conclude the regular season with a 21-8 overall record. "It was a hard fought game but we never found a good way to stop them," said WT head coach Rick Cooper. "The first five minutes of each half hurt us. We got in foul trouble but, holy cow, you have to give them all credit. At one point, 10 minutes into game, they had 12 offensive boards - that combined with shooting is hard to stop. I'm proud of the seniors, they didn't quit. Really at this time of the season it's about playing hard. It's a disappointing loss but I'm proud of the team." Senior Robert Lee scored 31 points for the Buffaloes, but it wasn't enough as four different Bearcats scored in double-digits. Senior Chris Hinz ended his WT career with 12 points in the loss while also pulling down six rebounds. Additionally, Hill tallied 11 points and four rebounds while fellow classmate Tyler Cooper ended play with nine points and six rebounds. Sophomore Ben Doherty added seven points, three assists and two rebounds. Nick Kovacevich was the high-man for SBU, scoring 23 points on the evening. He finished the game with a double-double collecting 10 rebounds as well. WT was down 31-14 in the first half before going on a 16-1 run to pull within two points of the Bearcats, then a dunk by senior Andre Hill with 3:04 to play gave WT a one point lead, 34-33. But SBU prevailed and opened the second half by sinking their first two three-pointers of the second half to swing the momentum back in its favor.
Lee made a lay-up with 17:52 to play to pull WT within eight points, 46-38, but Southwest Baptist steadily rebuilt its lead as it became too much for the Buffs to overcome. The fifth-seeded Bearcats will play the winner of the No. 1 Tarleton/No. 8 St. Mary's game tomorrow night at 7:30 in Wisdom Gym. |
