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Feb. 17, 2005

Box Score

WICHITA FALLS, Texas --- The West Texas A&M University Lady Buff basketball team pull away for a 71-57 victory over Midwestern State University in a Lone Star South Division showdown Thursday evening on MSU's Stockton Court at Ligon Hall. The Lady Buffs had a big halftime lead, only to have the Lady Indians close within a point, then WTAMU blew the game open with a 13-0 run and ended the game by outscoring MSU, 20-7 over the final 9:16.

Senior forward Celeste Stevenson moved into No. 2 on the WTAMU Career Scoring list with 11 points, giving her 1,884 points in her career and leaving her 23 points away from passing Vanessa Wells (1984-88) at No. 1 with 1,906 points.

The win moved WTAMU to 17-7 overall and more importantly to 8-3 in the LSC South, all but clinching a spot in the conference tournament.

The Lady Buffs remain in a second-place tie with Abilene Christian University in the division standings, who defeated Texas Woman's University, 78-67, Thursday night. Texas A&M University-Commerce was in the tie for second with WTAMU and ACU entering Thursday's action, but the Lions were defeated at home, 71-61, by Eastern New Mexico University. WTAMU will be at TAMU-Commerce on Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m.

MSU is all but eliminated from postseason play with a 4-7 division mark and a 9-15 overall record.

The Lady Buffs' win was their first win at Wichita Falls in three years, as they won for just the second time in the last six games on MSU's home floor. WTAMU now leads the all-time series, 25-8, after sweeping the season match-up, as the Lady Buffs routed the Lady Indians, 90-61, back on Jan. 20 at the WTAMU Event Center.

Four WTAMU players posted double-digits, led by 15 points apiece from junior forward Keisha Monroe and senior forward Vasha Adams, while senior guard Suni Jo Petty netted 12 points, all in the first half, followed by Stevenson's 11 points.

Adams tied a game-high with eight rebounds, while Monroe pulled down seven boards to go with her three blocks. Adams and senior guard Stephanie Williams each had three steals, while Petty dished out a game-high five assists.

MSU had three players in double-figures, led by Katherine Maples with 12 points before fouling out, followed by Nicole Brantley with 11 points and Angie Faurot's 10 points.

WTAMU shot 47.3 percent (26-of-55) from the field, including 5-of-16 (31.3 percent) from 3-point land, but hit just 1-of-8 (12.5 percent) in the second half after shooting 50.0 percent (4-of-8) in the first half.

MSU was 19-of-53 (35.8 percent) field goal shooting, including 6-of-18 (33.3 percent) from behind the 3-point arc .

The Lady Buffs controlled the boards, with a 44-27 rebounding edge, including 15 on the offensive glass, and had a 28-10 advantage on points in the paint.

Petty opened the scoring on WTAMU's first possession, hitting a trey from the left wing just 10 seconds into the game and the Lady Buffs were off and running. WTAMU later opened a 19-11 lead at the 15:28 mark, after Stevenson hit a short jumper to tie the No. 2 scoring mark and Petty swiped a steal on MSU's ensuing possession and hit a layup.

Later in the half, Stevenson hit a layup to take sole possession of No. 2 at the 6:47 point of the half, putting WTAMU ahead, 29-21.

After the Lady Indians closed to 31-28 with 4:01 left, the Lady Buffs charged back, going on a 13-1 run to close out the half, as Monroe started the streak with back-to-back buckets and Petty capped the run with a deep 3-pointer from the left win with five seconds left to send WTAMU into the locker room with a 43-29 lead.

Petty had 12 points in the first half, as the Lady Buffs shot 15-of-29 (51.7 percent) from the field, including 4-of-8 (50.0 percent) from behind the 3-point arc. WTAMU's defense limited MSU to 11-of-32 (34.4 percent) from the field in the first half, as the Lady Buffs outscored the Lady Indians, 16-8, off points in the paint.

After WTAMU took a 51-38 lead with 13:12 left in the game, MSU went on a 12-0 run to pull within 51-50 at the 9:50 mark after consecutive 3-pointers, but the Lady Buffs responded with a 13-0 tear, again sparked by Monroe on a putback. She was fouled, yet missed the ensuing free throw, but got her own rebound and Adams ended the possession with a basket from inside. Adams hit the next two buckets, then a layup from Monroe was followed by a trey from the left wing by Williams opened a 64-50 Lady Buff advantage with 5:39 left and the Lady Indians never recovered.

After a bucket from Fincher stopped the WTAMU run, Monroe hit two free throws, followed by a fast-break layup from junior guard Tiffany Lewis, then a basket by Stevenson gave the Lady Buffs their largest lead of the game at 70-52 with 2:02 left and they coasted to victory.

WTAMU will wrap up its four-game road swing on Saturday, Feb. 19, traveling to Commerce, Texas to face Texas A&M University-Commerce at 4 p.m., following the mens' contest.

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

The Lady Buffs and Buffs return home to host Texas A&M University-Kingsville on Thursday, Feb. 24. The WTAMU women conclude regular season action by hosting Texas Woman's University on Saturday, Feb. 26. The world renowned slam dunk acrobatic group "The Extreme Team" will be performing at halftime.

Contact the WTAMU Athletics Ticket Office at 806-651-4424 for ticket information.

-WT-