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Feb. 16, 2008

Box Score

CANYON, Texas - Despite having played only one game at the First United Bank Center since mid-January, the West Texas A&M women's basketball team has not lost any of its home court magic as the No. 17 Lady Buffs defeated Eastern New Mexico, 78-57, on Saturday for their 42nd consecutive home victory.

With the victory, the Lady Buffs remain in first place in the Lone Star Conference South with a 9-1 record in the league to go along with their 19-4 overall mark this season. The win also clinches a spot for the Lady Buffs in the upcoming Lone Star Conference Basketball Championships, which will take place in Bartlesville, Okla., March 5-9.

Eastern New Mexico, meanwhile, sees its overall record fall to 4-19 and 1-9 in LSC South action.

Junior All-American Emily Brister was her usual outstanding self on the court against the Zias, contributing a game-high in points (23), rebounds (8) and steals (5). The Amarillo, Texas, native finished 7-of-15 shooting on the night and made 9-of-10 attempts from the free throw line.

Joining Brister in double figure scoring on the night were junior Jamie Dreiling, who tallied four points and pulled down four boards, and sophomore Holly Isaacs, who was 3-of-4 from beyond the three-point arc for 11 points. Additionally, freshman Megan McLain scored 10 points on 3-of-9 shooting from the floor - including two baskets from long range - and 2-of-4 shooting from the charity stripe.

The Lady Buffs hit the ground running in the contest, as junior Jamie Dreiling nailed a three-pointer on the game's opening possession. The WT defense also started the game with the same intensity of the team's offense, forcing six ENMU turnovers before the first media time out to take a commanding 16-2 lead.

For the game, the Lady Buff defense was spectacular in forcing 27 turnovers from the Zias leading to 25 points on the offensive end. In its last three games, WT has forced an incredible 89 turnovers.

After weathering the initial WT surge, the Zias battled back to claim eight of the games next 10 points to get within six points, 18-12, with 11:42 minutes to play. The visitor momentum would not last long as the Lady Buffs countered with a 9-0 run and took a 27-12 lead with 8:37 to play on a long distance shot from freshman Joni Unruh.

At the end of the first 20 minutes, the Lady Buffs went to the locker room with a 43-27 advantage led by Brister's 14 first-half points.

Isaacs' three-pointer at the 12:56 mark gave WT a 20 point edge, 58-38; the lead would swell to as many as 28 during the second period as junior Courtney Lee grabbed an offensive rebound and sank the put back lay-up, making it 70-42 in favor of WT. Lee finished the game with eight points to go along with four steals and three assists.

The Zias scored 10 points in the last 5:09 of the game, but the Lady Buffs' lead was too much for the visitors from Portales, N.M., to overcome and the game ended with West Texas A&M ahead by 21.

The Lady Buffs return to action next Wednesday as they host Texas A&M-Kingsville in a 6 p.m. match-up at the First United Bank Center.