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Dec. 10, 2005

Box Score

Four players in double-figures led the West Texas A&M University men's basketball team to a hard-fought, 69-62, victory over Texas A&M University-Commerce in a Lone Star Conference crossover battle at the First United Bank Center. The win improved WTAMU's record to 7-2, while snapping TAMU-C's seven-game win streak while the Lions slipped to 8-2.

Junior guard/forward Damien Lolar led WTAMU with 15 points, while senior forward Patrick Culver posted 13 points, sophomore forward Tyler Cooper tallied 11 points and sophomore guard Kyle Shields netted 10 points.

TAMU-C had three players in double-digits, led by guard Jermart Miller with 17 points, but they mostly came in the waning moments as the Lions tried to claw back as he scored 12 points in the final two minutes of the game on flailing, desperation 3-point attempts. Miller was held in check mainly by Shields and senior guard Ronnie Holmes, as the LSC North Preseason Player of the Year had only three points in the first half, all on free throws.

The Buffs shot 43.4 percent (23-of-53) from the field, including 8-of-19 (.421) from 3-point land. WTAMU also was 15-of-24 (.625) from the charity stripe.

The Lions were 23-of-63 (.365) field goal shooting, including 7-of-23 (.304) 3-point shooting, as well as .750 (9-of-12) from the free throw line.

WTAMU also had a 41-34 rebounding advantage, including 22-16 in the second half, as the Buffs pulled away from a 27-24 halftime lead.

The Lions led by as much as seven in the first half, as the Buffs struggled a bit, committing 11 turnovers in the first half alone and shooting just 9-of-23 (.391) from the field.

WTAMU opened the second half with a pair of treys from Lolar and Cooper to take a 33-24 lead. After TAMU-C closed to 35-32 at the 15:49 mark, the Buffs scored seven unanswered points, capped by a 3-pointer from Holmes fro a 42-32 lead with 12:46 to play.

The Lions clawed back to 46-41 with 8:43 remaining, but the Buffs pulled away and never let TAMU-C get any closer.

Shields hit a 3-pointer from the top of the key at the shot clock buzzer for a 57-45 lead at the 3:50 mark and the Buffs held off a Lions comeback attempt.

WTAMU returns to their home court at the First United Bank Center next Saturday, Dec. 17 to face Oklahoma Panhandle State University at 7 p.m. in the final game before Christmas break.

The Buffs return to action after the break hosting New Mexico Highlands University on Dec. 30 at 8 p.m.

For ticket information, contact the WTAMU Athletics Ticket Office at 806-651-4424.

-WT-