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Buffs Survive Tigers, 76-71, Saturday To Win SBC/Coca-Cola Thanksgiving Shootout
Nov. 26, 2005
Riding the efforts of four players in double-digits and solid free throw shooting, the West Texas A&M University Buffs' men's basketball team held on for a 76-71 victory over Ouachita Baptist University Saturday night in the Championship game of the SBC/Coca-Cola Thanksgiving Shootout at the First United Bank Center. WTAMU junior guard Damien Lolar was named to the All-Tournament Team tallying game-highs of 30 points, 11 rebounds and five steals, and was joined on the All-Tournament Team by sophomore guard Kyle Shields, along with OBU's Lucky Butler and Jaranimo Marks.
The win improves WTAMU's record to 5-0 for the first time since the 1997-98 season, when current OBU head coach Charlie Schaef was an assistant on current WTAMU head coach Rick Cooper's staff. That season, the Buffs won their first 15 games of the year and advanced to the Elite Eight, ending with a 26-5 ledger.
OBU's record evens at 3-3 with the loss.
The Buffs pulled away from a 55-all tie with 5:46 to play and held on for the victory, hitting 15-of-19 free throws over that time. WTAMU finished the night 36-of-45 (.800) from the charity stripe.
Lolar's 30 points were one of four Buffs in double-digits, as Shields netted 13, while senior guards Govinda Thomas-Carter and Ronnie Holmes tallied 11 points each.
WTAMU was outrebounded by OBU, 35-29, but forced 19 Tiger turnovers, which the Buffs converted into 17 points, while WTAMU had 11 miscues, which OBU scored eight points off of.
The Tigers were led by 20 points from Butler, while Brian Ross added 10 points.
Butler hit a 3-pointer with 22 seconds left to pull OBU within 73-71 and had a chance to tie the game at 74-all with six seconds left, but his 3-pointer was off the mark and Thomas-Carter snared the rebound and was fouled. Thomas-Carter then hit both ensuing free throws with 4.1 seconds left to secure the victory.
The score was tied eight times and there were only two lead changes, as WTAMU led for the majority of the contest, leading by as much as eight in the first half and taking a 33-26 lead into halftime, after Marks' hit only 1-of-3 free throws after being fouled on a desperation 3-pointer as time expired in the first half.
The Buffs held the Tigers at bay in the first part of the second half, not letting them get within four points, but unable to get any further ahead then seven points. OBU finally whittled the margin down and tied it at 55-55 with 5:36 to play on a layup by Harris, and again at 58-all with 4:47 on the clock after a Marks jumper.
Lolar responded with a pair of free throws and a layup to put WTAMU on top, 64-60, with 3:17 to go and the Buffs stretched the lead out to 68-61 at the 2:25 mark after Holmes hit back-to-back free throws, which came just moments after he hit 2-of-3 from the charity stripe after being fouled on a 3-point attempt.
Butler spearheaded the Tigers' rally to close to 73-71, as he hit a pair of 3-pointers to give OBU the chance to win.
WTAMU opens up Lone Star Conference action with a pair of crossover games on the road, beginning Thursday, Dec. 1 at Lawton, Okla. against Cameron University. The Buffs then head to Weatherford, Okla. on Saturday, Dec. 3 against Southwestern Oklahoma State University.
The Cager Club is organizing a bus trip to Weatherford for Saturday's game. Cost is $55 for Cager Club and Fast Break Club members, $65 for non-members. Call 806-231-8141 for more information. Registration deadline is Monday.
WTAMU SBC/Coca-Cola Thanksgiving Shootout All-Tournament Team
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