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Dec. 17, 2005

Box Score

The West Texas A&M University men's basketball tried to find a way to give the game away in the waning moments with several turnovers, but Oklahoma Panhandle State University gave it right back with some fouls, as the Buffs held off the Aggies, 69-64, Saturday night at the First United Bank Center. The win gives WTAMU the season-sweep over OPSU and was the Buffs' fifth-straight over the Aggies as they lead the all-time series, 49-4. WTAMU heads into the Christmas break with an 8-2 record after winning for the third game in a row and are 5-0 at home.

Senior forward Patrick Culver broke a 62-62 tie with a bucket with 17.2 seconds left and was fouled. OPSU head coach Kurt Connor voiced his disagreement with the call and was whistled for a technical. Senior guard Ronnie Holmes hit one of two free throws, then Culver missed the ensuing free throw but gathered in the loose ball and hit another putback for a 67-62 lead with 15 seconds remaining and WTAMU held on for the win.

Junior guard Damien Lolar netted a team-high 17 points, while Culver finished with 16 points and sophomore guard Tyler Cooper had 11 points.

WTAMU had a dominating 30-15 advantage on points off turnovers, forcing 29 OPSU turnovers, while the Buffs had 22 miscues.

OPSU was led by Nick Malinowski's game-high 18 points, as he had an acrobatic dunk off a steal and WTAMU turnover with 48.5 seconds left and was fouled. He hit the ensuing free throw to pull the Aggies within 62-60. Less than 10 seconds later, Eddie Moss had a steal off another WTAMU turnover and had another fast break dunk to knot the score at 62-all setting up Culver's heroics.

Moss ended with 12 points and Kyle Smith had 11 points.

WTAMU shot 21-of-52 (.404) from the field and 4-of-14 (.286) from 3-point land. The Buffs were a paltry 23-of-33 (.697) from the free throw line, overcoming a 6-12 (.500) first half with 17-of-21 (.810) in the second half.

OPSU was 24-of-44 (.545) from the field, including 8-of-14 (.571) from behind the 3-point arc, while shooting 8-of-10 (.800) from the charity stripe.

The Buffs had a 31-25 rebounding advantage.

After the break, WTAMU returns to action by hosting New Mexico Highlands University on Dec. 30 at 8 p.m., the second half of a doubleheader with the WTAMU women who play Eastern New Mexico University.

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

-WT-