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Dec. 17, 2007

Box Score

CANYON, Texas - During the final West Texas A&M home sporting event of 2007, the Buffalo basketball team committed 27 turnovers which led to 25 Chaparral points in a 65-59 loss to Lubbock Christian at the First United Bank Center. The setback drops the Buffs' overall record this season to 7-4 on the season, while LCU improves to 5-4.

With both teams coming off long breaks from competition, the action was slow to begin the contest. The two teams combined to miss their first six field goal attempts, with the drought ending with the game's first basket on a lay-up by Keon Grant at the 16:00 mark.

The slow action continued with both teams struggling to get into a groove offensively. A three-point basket by LCU's Jacob Klockenga at the 15:26 mark of the first half gave the Chaparrals' a short-lived lead which was overcome on the next possession as WT's Kyle Shields cashed in on a long distance shot of his own.

After falling behind by three at 14-11, the Buffs needed another three-pointer to again saw even, as this time it was junior Demetrice Fuller who stepped up with the big shot to knot the game at 14-14. Following a defensive stop by WT, Fuller again got in the scoring act as he drew a foul in the act of driving to the basket and made one of two free throws to put the Buffs up 15-14. A three-point basket by Grant on the next offensive trip and a subsequent short jumper by Jon Sykes continued the mini run by the Buffs and left them with a 20-14 lead with 5:55 to play.

The Chaps battled back after falling behind by as many as eight, taking another brief lead at 28-27 on a jumper by Derrick Huffman, but the ensuing Buff rush resulted in a three-pointer by Fuller to regain the lead for WT at 30-28.

A Jeff Davis three-pointer was the last score of the first period as the Buffs headed off the floor with a 33-30 advantage. Full-court pressure by both teams in the opening 20 minutes took its toll as the game saw 20 first half turnovers, 11 committed by WT. At the half, Grant led all scorers with 10 points on the strength of three long distance baskets.

Out of the intermission, the WT shooters were cold from the floor as they made only one of their first six shots which allowed LCU to regain the lead at 37-35.

Lubbock Christian build a lead as big as nine with 7:32 remaining in the second half, but the Buffs battled back and a thundering dunk off a missed shot by Robert Lee pulled WT to within one at 54-53 with 3:47 to play. Another basket by Lee at 1:49 tied the game at 55-55. Unfortunately for WT, the surge of momentum would not last as the Chaps outscored the Buffs 12-5 down the stretch to secure the victory. Turnovers were again an issue during the second half as WT was guilty of 16 during the final 20 minutes of play.

Shield finished with a team-high 15 points while Lee and Grant ended the game with 10 points apiece. Lee scored all of his 10 points in the second half.

The Buffs will now take a break for the holidays before returning to action on Jan. 3 in a home contest against Southeast Oklahoma.