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Nov. 27, 2007

Box Score

LAS VEGAS, N.M. - Led by a game-high 17 points from junior guard Keon Grant, the West Texas A&M men's basketball team notched its third straight victory Tuesday night as the Buffs defeated New Mexico Highlands, 77-50, at the John A. Wilson Complex in Las Vegas, N.M.

"Tonight was a good win for us and a really solid defensive effort," said head coach Rick Cooper. "We had several kids come in and compete really well for us, but we still have some things to work on and get fixed as we move on. Keon was really able to step up big for us tonight and give us some good minutes, but overall we have to work on getting some more consistency and playing a complete game."

Grant was a force in the game's opening 20 minutes, coming off the bench to convert 5-of-9 field goal attempts, including three from long range, to finish with 14 first half points. After the two teams felt each other out for the first 11 minutes of the contest, the Buffs held a slim one point advantage at 15-14. It was all Buffs from that point as a lay-up by Andre Hill at the 9:07 mark, sparked a 23-6 run by the Buffs into intermission, leaving the score 38-20 West Texas A&M at the half.

The Buffalo defense and poor New Mexico Highlands shooting was a key part of the first half run as WT's pressure limited the Cowboys to only three first half field goals (3-of-28) and a futile 10.7 shooting percentage.

After halftime, West Texas A&M (4-2) continued its hot shooting from the floor, converting just under 60 percent of its shot opportunities (15-of-26) in the half, with the lead swelling to as many as 32 points on a free throw by Chris Hinz at the 5:19 mark. Hinz, last year's Lone Star Conference leader in shooting percentage, continued his efficient play by sinking 4-of-6 shot attempts for 10 points in the game.

Joining Grant and Hinz in double figure scoring for WT, were Kyle Shields, who finished with 12 points, and Robert Lee, who chipped with 11.

For the game, the Buffs held a 37-25 edge in the rebounding column, which led WT to out score the Cowboys 10-1 on second chance points.

The victory improves WT's stranglehold on the all-time series with New Mexico Highlands to 24-1, with the two teams scheduled to meet again on Saturday in Canyon.

Before the rematch with Highlands, the Buffs return to action on Thursday night when they face Texas A&M-Commerce in an 8 p.m. Lone Star Conference crossover contest at the First United Bank Center. Prior to tip off of the men's game against the Lions, the Lady Buffs will seek a measure of revenge against the TAMU-Commerce women's squad, which defeated the WT women in the title game of last season's LSC Tournament. The women's game is slated for a 6 p.m. start time.