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Jan. 4, 2007

Box Score

CANYON, Texas - Sophomore guard Emily Brister registered her second double-double of the season, tallying 22 points and 11 rebounds to lead the West Texas A&M woman's basketball team to a 68-55 Lone Star Conference victory over Central Oklahoma on Thursday at the First United Bank Center.

The win improves the Lady Buffs' overall mark this season to 12-2 on the year, while Central Oklahoma falls to 6-6 on the season.

Right out of the gate, the Lady Buffs exerted their dominance over the Bronchos, starting the game on a 9-2 run and forcing an early time out by the visitors. The WTAMU onslaught did not let up as the squad maintained its offensive pressure during the opening period, led by 13 points by Brister and nine from senior post Kalee Carey. For the half, the Lady Buffs shot an impressive 56.7 percent (17-for-30) from the floor, including a 5-of-8 mark from three point range as the home team took a 42-25 advantage into the intermission.

The Lady Buffs defense was also a major factor in helping the team build a commanding lead during the opening stanza as WT forced 11 turnovers during the first period, paced by Brister who collected five steals.

During the second half, Central Oklahoma was able to claw its way back into the contest with hot shooting from long distance while taking advantage of several Lady Buff ball handling miscues. UCO's Mallory Markus cut the WTAMU lead to only nine points at the 4:38 mark of the final period with a successful attempt from three-point range, leaving the Lady Buffs with their smallest advantage since the game's opening moments.

The lead would shrink down to seven points on a UCO layup at the at the 2:27 mark, but smart play and solid free throw shooting from the Lady Buffs down the stretch put the game on ice and sealed the victory. During the game's final two minutes, the Lady Buffs converted all six of their free throw opportunities, despite only shooting 53 percent (10-of-19) for the game.

The Lady Buffs held a 43-33 advantage on the glass and were particularly impressive on following up their own shots, hauling down 17 offensive rebounds on the night.

Neither team was particularly impressive taking care of the basketball, with the stingy WTAMU defense forcing 28 turnovers, but also giving away the ball 24 times itself. To go along with Brister's game-high six swipes, senior Jennifer Brock and sophomore Courtney Lee both chipped in with three steals in the contest.

The Lady Buffs return to the court at the First United Bank Center this weekend as they host Lone Star Conference crossover opponent Northeastern State in a 6 p.m. match on Saturday.