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WTAMU's Shooting Struggles Lead To 78-69 Loss To TAMU-Commerce
Jan. 22, 2005
The West Texas A&M University women's basketball team tied a season-low for 3-pointers made and shot a season-low 3-point field goal percentage in a 78-69 loss to Texas A&M University-Commerce Saturday night in Lone Star Conference South Division action. It was only TAMU-C's fourth win over WTAMU, as the Lady Buffs now hold a 31-4 all-time series lead.
WTAMU Athletics donated half of Saturday night's gate proceeds to the Amarillo Chapter of the American Red Cross for the Southeast Asia Tsunami Relief Fund efforts.
The loss also snaps WTAMU's four-game overall win streak, as the Lady Buffs are now 11-5 overall and 2-1 in LSC South action. WTAMU also has lost three of its last four home games.
TAMU-C won for the second time in as many games, after snapping a four-game losing streak Thursday at Eastern New Mexico University, and are now 8-9 overall and 3-1 in LSC South play.
WTAMU tied a season low by only hitting three 3-pointers, which were all in the last 9:09 of the game, and shot a season-low 12.0 percent (3-of-25) from behind the 3-point arc. The Lady Buffs were 25-of-75 (33.3 percent) total field goal percentage.
TAMU-C roasted the nets, especially in the second half, shooting 57.7 percent (15-of-26) after halftime to finish the night 29-of-57 (50.9 percent), including a sizzling 61.5 percent (8-of-13) from 3-point land, hitting 4-of-5 (80 percent) in the second half.
The Lady Buffs held a dominating 15-0 advantage on second chance points, snaring 21 offensive rebounds, as well a 23-4 bench points advantage. WTAMU also had a 25-14 edge in points off turnovers, as the Lady Buffs forced 25 Lion turnovers, while only committing 18 blunders themselves, but it was the shooting woes that led to the loss.
The Lady Buffs were led by senior forward Celeste Stevenson's fifth double-double of the season and 11th of her career with 20 points and 13 rebounds. Fellow senior forward Vasha Adams posted 12 points and pulled down seven rebounds, leading WTAMU to a 45-44 rebounding edge.
The Lions had three starters register double-digits, led by 28 points from Hazel Woods, followed by Portia Mitchell with 18 points, while Jennifer McCord added 12 points to go with a game-high seven assists. McCord, Mitchell and Katedria Mosley pulled down eight rebounds apiece.
WTAMU took an 8-7 lead at the 16:35 mark on a steal and layup from senior guard Suni Jo Petty, but TAMU-C reeled off a 13-4 run to take a 20-12 lead at 11:11 on a trey from McCord.
The Lady Buffs closed to 20-17 at the 9:15 point on a three-point play from junior guard Sassy Pyburn, but the Lady Lions pulled away to take a 36-29 halftime lead.
Stevenson nearly had her double-double in the first half, as she posted 11 points and nine rebounds before halftime.
WTAMU cut the gap to 36-34 with 18:07 on a layup from Adams, but TAMU-C went on a 15-7 run, capped by a jumper from Woods, who scored 10 points in the streak, to give the Lions a 51-41 lead with 12:12 to go.
Petty hit the Lady Buffs' first 3-pointer of the game at 9:09 mark to draw WTAMU within 58-52, but the closest the Lady Buffs got from there on out was with 32 seconds left at 74-69 on a trey from junior guard Tiffany Lewis.
TAMU-C went 4-of-4 from the free throw line in the final 30 seconds to secure the victory.
The Lady Buffs have a quick turnaround, as they return to the court on Monday for their third game in five nights, hosting border-rival Eastern New Mexico University at 6 p.m. in an LSC South doubleheader, followed by the mens' contest at 8 p.m.
ENMU brings a 7-9, 1-2 LSC South ledger into Monday's contest, as the Zias have lost six of their last eight, but won two of their last three, including a 67-52 win over Midwestern State University Saturday.
WTAMU defeated ENMU, 61-58, at Portales, N.M., on Jan. 10.
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