Roster | Schedule | News | Archives | Home

Feb. 22, 2006

Box Score

WICHITA FALLS, Texas -- Junior forward Alicia Saunders had nine blocks, one shy for a triple-double, to establish a new school single-season blocked shots record in leading the 17th-ranked West Texas A&M University Lady Buff basketball team to a 73-58 win over Midwestern State University Wednesday at MSU's Stockton Court at Ligon Coliseum at Wichita Falls, Texas. With the win, WTAMU clinches at least a share of the Lone Star Conference South Division title, improving to 12-1 in division play and 23-3 overall. The Lady Buffs are now on a season-long eight-game winning streak.

WTAMU hosts Tarleton State University on Saturday, Feb. 25, at 6 p.m. at the First United Bank Center in a showdown for the LSC South title and the right to host the LSC Tournament.

MSU lost for the third time in the last five games, in falling to 5-8 in LSC South action and 11-15 overall. The Mustangs' playoff chances are still alive, as MSU is in a tie for fourth place.

The Lady Buffs have now beaten the Mustangs five games in a row and now hold a 27-8 all-time series lead.

Saunders established a new WTAMU single-season blocked shots record, surpassing former WTAMU All-American Brandi Green's 99 blocks in the 1998-99 season. Saunders swatted nine Wednesday to give her 107 for the season, and she is closing in on the LSC record of 112 by Ankse Steponaviciute of Abilene Christian University in 1995-96.

Saunders was one block shy of her second triple-double of the season, but did post her second-straight double-double and eighth of the year with 12 points and 12 rebounds.

Freshman guard Emily Brister tallied 24 points on the night, including 22 in the second half, while junior forward Natalie Wheeler tossed in 15 points and junior guard Jennifer Brock dished out 13 assists, the third time in the last four games that Brock has doled out double-digit helpers.

Brister and Wheeler both hit three 3-pointers apiece, as WTAMU was 6-of-17 (35.3 percent) behind the arc, part of a 28-of-61 (45.9 percent) effort from the field, including 16-of-30 (53.3 percent) in the second half as the Lady Buffs pulled away from a 27-26 halftime deficit.

WTAMU was 11-of-16 (68.8 percent) at the free throw line, led by Brister at 5-of-6.

MSU was just 23-of-73 (31.5 percent) field goal shooting, including 30.0 percent (6-of-20) from 3-point range, as well as 50.0 percent (6-of-12) at the free throw line.

The Mustangs were led by a double-double by Sonya Courtney with 14 points and 10 rebounds, while Angie Faurot netted a team-high 18 points and Katherine Maples also tallied 14 points.

WTAMU took an 18-9 lead at the 9:51 mark on 1-of-2 free throws by freshman forward Mariah Willis and then Willis later hit a layup with 4:19 left in the half for a 26-15 Lady Buff lead. That would be the last WTAMU would score, as MSU closed out the half with an 11-0 run to take a 27-26 lead into intermission.

The Lady Buffs came out firing on all cylinders in the second half, opening on a 13-0 run, as Brister drained a trey just 10 seconds into the half. After a layup from senior forward Keisha Monroe, Wheeler hit a 3-pointer at the 18:43 mark. Monroe later hit another layup and then Wheeler netted another trey for a 39-27 lead at the 16:30 point.

MSU cut the gap to 44-37 with 12:20 to go and that would be the closest the Mustangs would get. Brister hit a pair of charity stripe shots to push the advantage to 20 at 64-44 with 6:44 to play, and the Lady Buffs coasted to the win.

Beginning Friday, 500 tickets will be available at the Wendy's Restaurant location at 34th and Coulter in Amarillo. On Saturday, 500 tickets will be available at Wendy's on 23rd Street and 5th Avenue in Canyon. The purchase of a combo meal is required to receive a free ticket. The tickets are available while they last at each location.

In addition, 10% of all sales from each restaurant will benefit WTAMU Athletics.

Gates will open at 5 p.m. Saturday, and additional tickets will be available for purchase at the gate, or fans can contact the WTAMU Athletics Office at 806-651-4424.

-WT-