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Buffs Bounced By Texans, 80-63, Monday
Dec. 13, 2004
STEPHENVILLE, Texas -- The West Texas A&M University men's basketball team was outscored, 33-16, over the final 12:15 of the game in losing, 80-63, to Tarleton State University Monday night in Lone Star Conference crossover action at TSU's Wisdom Gymnasium.
The Buffs and Texans were tied at 47-all with 12:15 to go after a 3-pointer from junior guard Govinda Thomas-Carter. TSU then went on an 8-0 run to open a 55-47 lead, before WTAMU closed to 55-52 on a trey from senior forward Richard Higginbotham with 9:50 to play.
TSU then went on another run, this time a 10-0 streak, holding WTAMU scoreless for nearly four and a half minutes to take a 66-52 lead with 5:40 remaining.
The deficit swelled to its biggest point of the game at 78-58 with 1:56 to play.
WTAMU came out of halftime down 34-29, but the Buffs hit their first six 3-pointers of the first half, finishing the night with a season-high 11 treys. WTAMU even led 43-39 on a bucket from freshman Kyle Shields at the 15:00 mark, prompting a TSU timeout.
Shields ended the night with a team and career-high 13 points, as well as dishing out a team-high four assists, and Thomas-Carter also ended with 13 points. Both Thomas-Carter and Higginbotham drained three 3-pointers.
TSU had four players in double-figures, led by 16 points apiece from David Stephens and Cornell Jones, who went 13-14 from the free throw line.
WTAMU was 38.8 percent (19-49) from the field, including 11-20 (55.0 percent) from 3-point land.
The Texans were 23-41 (56.1 percent) from the floor, shooting 5-8 (62.5 percent) from behind the 3-point arc.
The Buffs were outrebounded, 35-24, as Thomas-Carter was the leading rebounder for WTAMU with four boards. Randall Williams led the Texans with seven rebounds.
A big difference in the game was at the free throw line, where WTAMU was doubled-up by TSU on attempts alone as the Buffs were 14-21 (66.7 percent), compared to 29-42 (69.0 percent) for TSU, as the Texans made and shot more free throws than field goals.
The Buffs were also outscored, 30-8, in the paint, and the Texan bench players outscored the Buffs' reserves, 35-18.
WTAMU's next action will be at the High Desert Classic at Las Vegas, Nev., this weekend, as the Buffs will take on #24 Cal. State University San Bernardino on Saturday, Dec. 18 at 6:30 p.m. Central Time and Pittsburg State University on Sunday, Dec. 19 at 2 p.m. Central Time.
Fans can tune into the Buffalo Sports Network on KGNC 710 AM or streamed on the Internet at www.gobuffsgo.com.
WTAMU returns home to host Oklahoma Panhandle State University on Thursday, Dec. 30, at 8 p.m., following the WTAMU women against Adams State College at 6 p.m.
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