Feb. 13, 2004

The West Texas A&M University men's basketball team will try to snap a three-game losing streak when the Buffs host Midwestern State University on Saturday, Feb. 14, at 8 p.m. Saturday's Lone Star Conference South division contest at the WTAMU Event Center is a rematch from last Saturday's 86-69 MSU victory over the Buffs at Wichita Falls, Texas.

Saturday will be "Take A Kid To The Game," an NCAA sponsored event with kids 12 and under admitted free when accompanied by a paid adult, with adult general admission ticket costing $4. For more information, click here to read WTAMU Release, or contact the WTAMU Ticket Office at 806-651-1414.

The Buffs are currently in fourth-place in the Lone Star Conference South division, while MSU is in third.

Fans can tune into the Buffalo Sports Network, on KGNC 710 AM or streamed on the Internet at www.gobuffsgo.com.

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About The Teams

The Buffs have a 13-9 overall and a 3-4 LSC South mark entering Saturday's match-up.

WTAMU has lost three in row, most recently a 77-72 overtime thriller to Eastern New Mexico Monday night at the WTAMU Event Center. The Buffs had a chance for the win, but missed two free throws and a layup with 15 seconds left in overtime. Turnovers continue to plague WTAMU like a never-ending cold, as the Buffs committed 20 miscues Monday night. The Greyhounds converted the WTAMU turnovers into 23 points, while the Buffs had 18 points off MSU turnovers, the difference in the score.

Midwestern State has a 14-8 overall and 4-3 LSC South record after losing, 77-67, at Eastern New Mexico on Thursday. MSU has won six of the last 10 games, including an 86-69 win over WTAMU last Saturday at Wichita Falls, Texas. MSU is ranked No. 8 in the South Central Regional Rankings. {Complete South Central Rankings}

The Coaches

WTAMU head coach Rick Cooper (Wayland Baptist, 1981), who is in his 10th year at the helm of the Buffs, is WTAMU's all-time winningest head coach. Cooper became WTAMU's all-time winningest coach with in the Buffs' win at Southwestern Oklahoma on Jan. 8. Cooper currently has 212 wins, passing Sam Burton's 206 wins from 1921-1933. With a 212-99 (.682) overall record, Cooper currently is fourth on WTAMU's Best Winning Percentage list.

Cooper is a three-time LSC Coach of the Year (1993-'94, 1997-'98, 1998-'99), as well as NABC South Central Regional Coach of the Year (1997-'98).

The Buffs have won three LSC titles under Cooper and been to the NCAA Regional Tournament five times, including three in the last four years.

Midwestern State is coached by Jeff Ray (Midwestern State, 1984), who is in his second stint with the Indians, as he led them from 1995-2000, and returning to the bench this season. Ray has a 132-68 (.660) career record in his seven seasons leading the MSU program.

About WTAMU

The Buffs have a 13-9 overall and a 3-4 LSC South mark entering Saturday's match-up.

WTAMU has lost three in row, most recently a 77-72 overtime thriller to Eastern New Mexico Monday night at the WTAMU Event Center. The Buffs had a chance for the win, but missed two free throws and a layup with 15 seconds left in overtime. Turnovers continue to plague WTAMU like a never-ending cold, as the Buffs committed 20 miscues Monday night. The Greyhounds converted the WTAMU turnovers into 23 points, while the Buffs had 18 points off MSU turnovers, the difference in the score.

As a team, WTAMU ranks second in the conference in both 3-point FG pct. (.396) and 3-point FG made (175, 7.95 pg), as well as field goal pct. (.480).

The Buffs rank 35th in the NCAA-II statistics in 3-point FG pct., as well as 43rd in 3-point FG made and 33rd in field goal pct.

WTAMU also is second in the conference in blocked shots (81, 3.68 bpg) and third in free throw pct. (.704).

Taking care of the ball is an attribute for victory for WTAMU, who is 9-1 when committing fewer turnovers than the opposition, but is 4-8 when committing the same or more turnovers.

On the season, 6-1 senior guard Rod Prater leads the Buffs with a 20.1 points per game average, which ranks second in the LSC and 41st in the nation in scoring. He also is fourth in the conference in 3-point FG made (54, 2.7 pg), as well as sixth in free throw percentage (.757), eighth in steals (1.90 spg) and ninth in assists (3.53 apg).

Eduardo Caviglia, a 6-4 senior guard, nets 10.0 ppg. Caviglia is third in the conference and 16th in the country in 3-point FG pct (.443), and is tied for seventh in 3-point FG made (54, 2.6 pg).

The third member of the Buffs' three-guard attack and WTAMU's sixth-man is 6-1 junior guard Carl Lamb, who is 23rdd in the LSC in scoring with 12.2 ppg. Lamb also ranks fifth in 3-point FG pct. (.431), as well as fifth in both free throw percentage (.780) and assists (3.8 apg).

Inside, Richard Higginbotham, a 6-7 junior forward, pulls down a team-high 6.1 rebounds per contest, which ranks 14th in the conference. Higginbotham rank second in the conference in FT pct (.833), but he doesn't meet the required minimum of 2.0 FT per game.

Carlos Silva, a 6-8 junior forward, leads the LSC and is 19th in the country in blocked shots (49, 2.23 bpg). Silva would lead the conference in field goal percentage (.643), but he also doesn't meet the minimum of 3.0 FG per game.

The third post player for WTAMU, 6-4 senior forward Jason Campbell, is 17th in the league in rebounding with 5.7 rpg and is tied for 30th in scoring with 10.7 ppg.

WTAMU At Home

The Buffs are 7-3 at home this season. Overall, WTAMU is 21-9 at the WTAMU Event Center.

WTAMU's longest home win streak is six games, including the last five home games last season and the first home game this season.

The Buffs are 0-1 vs. MSU at the WTAMU Event Center, as the Indians lost in last year's first and only other visit to the facility, 89-83, as Rod Prater tallied 20 points.

About MSU

Midwestern State has a 14-8 overall and 4-3 LSC South record after losing, 77-67, at Eastern New Mexico on Thursday. MSU has won six of the last 10 games, including an 86-69 win over WTAMU last Saturday at Wichita Falls, Texas. MSU is ranked No. 8 in the South Central Regional Rankings. {Complete South Central Rankings}

Marquette Wilkins, a 5-11 senior guard, led MSU with 16 points and four assists, while 6-2 junior guard Lechon Trammer added 11 points, followed by 10 points and eight rebounds from 6-5 senior forward Josh Drumgole. The Indians shot a paltry 36.9 percent from the field, including 5-27 (18.5 percent) from 3-point land.

MSU leads the LSC and is 47th in the nation in scoring offense (79.5 ppg), but is 11th in the league in scoring defense (72.0 ppg). The Indians lead the conference in blocked shots (3.95 pg), rank second in both steals (10.27 spg) and turnover margin (+3.55) as well as rank third in assists (14.59 apg).

Individually, Wilkins leads MSU and is eighth in the LSC in scoring (16.1 ppg). Wilkins is third in the conference in both assists (4.41 apg) and assist/turnover ratio (1.67), and is ninth in both free throw percentage (.741) and steals (1.82 spg). Justin James, a 6-6 junior forward, ranks eighth in rebounding with 6.5 rpg, while 6-5 senior forward Josh Drumgole is 20th with 5.5 rpg. Derrick Hill, a 6-8 junior forward, is tied for third in the conference in blocked shots (32, 1.52 bpg), while 6-6 junior forward Leonard Pralour is ninth (19, 0.86 bpg) and Drumgole 11th (15, 0.71 bpg).

MSU guard Tate Lombard (6-3 sophomore) is a Canyon, Texas native, and the son of CHS girls' basketball head coach Joe Lombard. Tate Lombard is averaging 1.0 ppg and 1.0 rpg in 2.7 minutes of action per contest.

Buffs-Indians Series History

WTAMU leads the all-time series, 20-16, with the Buffs winning the last five match-ups, including last Saturday's 86-69 contest.

Last year at the WTAMU Event Center, the Buffs won, 89-83. WTAMU outscored MSU, 27-15 from the free throw line and shot 60.0 percent (27-45) from the field, including 11-16 (68.8 percent) in the second half, overcoming a small 42-41 halftime deficit.

WTAMU had four players in double-figures, led by Prater's 20 points, followed by 13 apiece from Kyle Caldwell and Eduardo Caviglia, and Chris Bracey tallied 11 points. MSU was led by Jovani Allen and Marquette Wilkins with 23 points apiece.

Last Meeting: Buffs Speared By Indians, 86-69, Saturday (Feb. 7, 2004) WTAMU Routed For Second-Straight Game

WICHITA FALLS, Texas - The West Texas A&M University men's basketball team suffered its second-straight double-digit loss, being routed by Midwestern State University, 86-69, Saturday in a Lone Star Conference South division contest.

The Buffs were dropped by Eastern New Mexico on Monday, 89-74, capping WTAMU's two worst back-to-back losses since a 76-56 and 62-47 losses to Southwestern Oklahoma and Northeastern State, respectively.

WTAMU's record is now 13-8 overall and 3-3 in LSC South action, while MSU improves to 14-7 overall and 4-2 in LSC South play.

Saturday night, MSU pulled away from a 22-20 lead with a 23-5 eruption to break the game open and never looked back, as the Indians snapped the Buffs' four-game win streak in the series.

Senior guard Rod Prater led three WTAMU players in double-figures with 15 points and dished out a game-high six assists and swiped three steals.

Sophomore guard Keenan Hooker came off the bench to score a career-high 14 points, all in the second half, draining 4-6 3-pointers, while junior forward Richard Higginbotham tallied 12 points to go with eight rebounds. Senior forward Jason Campbell pulled down a game-high nine rebounds.

MSU had three starters post double-digits, led by 24 points from Marquette Wilkins, 17 in the first half, while Josh Drumgole netted 16 points, followed by 15 points from P.J. Randall. Drumgole pulled down a team-high eight rebounds, leading MSU to a 36-33 rebounding advantage.

The Buffs shot 56.7 percent (17-30) from the field, and finished the night 27-55 (49.1 percent). However, WTAMU was hampered by a 10-23 (43.5 percent) effort from the free throw line and the Buffs committed 29 turnovers, the second-highest of the season.

Meanwhile, MSU had a 55.7 shooting percentage, including 3-9 (33.3 percent) from 3-point land, but also turned the ball over a lot, committing 23 miscues.

WTAMU never led in Saturday's contest, and only tied MSU twice, at 2-2 and 4-4.

Prater hit a layup to pull WTAMU within 22-20 with 8:48 remaining in the opening half, before the Indians went on their run to open the game up, taking a 45-29 halftime lead. The Buffs didn't make a field goal over the last 4:55 of the half, hitting only five free throws over that stretch.

The deficit climbed to 27 points twice, the last at 69-42 with 12:08 left, before WTAMU chipped away at MSU's lead, spearheaded by Hooker, who hit a trio of treys in the Buffs' 17-4 run over the next four minutes, a capped by a dunk from junior forward Carlos Silva to make the score 73-59 at the 8:16 mark.

Another 3-ball from Hooker dropped the margin to nine at 76-67 with 4:59 remaining, but the Buffs only scored two points from there on out.

Last Action: WTAMU Edged By ENMU Monday Night, 77-72, In OT (Feb. 10, 2004) Buffs' Third-Straight Loss; ENMU Remains Atop LSC South

All a team wants at the end of the game is a chance to win and that's exactly what the West Texas A&M University men's basketball team had with 15 seconds left in overtime. However, the Buffs couldn't cash in on the chance, pushing the division leader to the limits before dropping a hard-fought 77-72 overtime Lone Star Conference South division thriller to Eastern New Mexico, Monday night at the WTAMU Event Center

It was the Buffs' third-straight loss overall, as WTAMU is now 13-9 overall, 3-4 in the LSC South, remaining in fourth-place after being in a tie for the division lead just 10 days ago. It was WTAMU's second loss of the season to ENMU, as the Greyhounds' swept the season meetings for the second time in three years, winning five of the last seven match-ups.

ENMU won its fourth-straight and improves to 13-9 overall and 6-1 in the LSC South, remaining atop the division standings, moving one full game ahead of Texas A&M-Kingsville.

It was WTAMU's first overtime loss of the season, as the Buffs had won their previous three extra session contests, while ENMU is 2-0 in OT.

Turnovers continue to plague WTAMU like a never-ending cold, as the Buffs committed 20 miscues Monday night, the 12th time this season and third-consecutive game with 20 or more turnovers. The Greyhounds converted the WTAMU turnovers into 23 points.

The Buffs did commit few turnovers than the Greyhounds, as the WTAMU defense forced 21 ENMU turnovers, marking the first time this season the Buffs have lost when committing fewer miscues than the opposition.

Senior guard Rod Prater netted his fifth 3-pointer of the game with 20 seconds left in regulation to tie it at 64-all. After an ENMU timeout, Jamaal Hunnicutt had a chance to win the game for the Greyhounds, but his jumper clanked off the rim as time expired, forcing the extra session.

Hunnicutt made sure he had an impact on the outcome of the game as he hit a pair of free throws with 1:06 left in overtime, breaking the game's 18th and final tie and giving ENMU a 72-71 lead.

That would remain the score as the clock wound down to 15 seconds when WTAMU junior forward Carlos Silva missed two free throws, but Prater garnered the rebound but missed a layup and Hunnicutt rebounded and was fouled.

Hunnicutt hit one of the two ensuing free throws with 11 seconds left, missing the second, but the rebound bounced out of bounds off WTAMU. Hunnicutt hit two more free throws to put the Greyhounds ahead 75-71 with eight ticks on the clock.

Prater was fouled with three seconds remaining and hit one of two free throws and ENMU's Travazz Buckley put the exclamation point on the win with a dunk at the buzzer.

Hunnicutt, named the LSC South Player of the Week Monday afternoon, hit 7-8 free throws in OT, to finish with 14 points to go with his game-high 14 rebounds, registering his second double-double in the last three games, both against WTAMU, as he had 18 points and 10 boards in the Greyhounds' 89-74 victory on Monday at Portales, N.M.

The Buffs posted four players in double-figures, led by Prater's game-high 20 points, on five 3-pointers. Junior guard Carl Lamb netted 14 points to go with a team-high seven rebounds, while Silva added 12 points, 10 after halftime, and tied a career-high with six blocked shots. Junior forward Richard Higginbotham tallied 11 points.

ENMU was led by Buckley's 17 points, 10 in the first half, while Jamal Washington added 15 points off the bench and Brent Cooper chipped in with 12 points to go with dishing out a game-high five assists.

WTAMU's biggest lead of the game was at 49-42 with 10:48 to play, as Silva capped a 6-0 run with a layup.

ENMU rallied to take a 56-52 lead with 5:05 remaining on a jumper from Cooper, before WTAMU clawed back, only to have the Greyhounds take a 64-61 lead with 50 seconds left on a layup by Hunnicutt, setting up Prater's game-tying 3-pointer.

Buffs' Next Action

WTAMU hosts the second half of its four-game homestand next weekend, welcoming Texas A&M-Commerce on Thursday, Feb. 19 and Texas A&M-Kingsville on Saturday, Feb. 21. Tip-offs are at 8 p.m. in both games, part of doubleheaders with the WTAMU women.

Fans can catch the action on the Buffalo Sports Network on KGNC 710 AM and www.gobuffsgo.com.

-WT-