Feb. 21, 2007

Box Score

STEPHENVILLE, Texas - Led by sophomore Emily Brister's season-high 36 points, the No. 7 West Texas A&M women's basketball team stormed over Tarleton State on Wednesday night, 74-53 in Lone Star Conference South Division play.

Tarleton State opened the game with a 2-0 advantage, but that would be its only lead of the evening. Just as quick as TSU got the lead, WTAMU went on a 10-0 run midway through the first half to give itself the advantage for good.

The Lady Buffs held TSU to just 8-of-18 shooting from the field in the first half, while going 0-for-3 from outside. WTAMU meanwhile, made 14 first half field goals and five 3-point buckets, which led to a 37-25 halftime lead.

After the break, WTAMU jumped to a 20 point lead, thanks in part to eight points by Brister. The Lady Buff defense also did their job holding Tarleton to 1-of-3 three shooting and forcing a turnover in the opening minutes of the final half.

The TexAnns pulled within 10 with 9:24 to play, but they had just one basket the rest of the way, which came with 32 seconds remaining.

Overall for the Lady Buffs, they were 52 percent from the field, shooting 27-of-51 and 10-of-15 from outside. The defense held TSU to 43 percent shooting, while forcing 21 turnovers.

Individually for WTAMU, sophomore Courtney Lee followed Brister with 11 points, while senior Natalie Wheeler chipped in with nine. Rounding out the Lady Buff team-highs was senior Jennifer Brock, who gave off a game-high seven assists.

WTAMU improved its record 24-3 overall and 13-0 in the LSC, while Tarleton goes to 16-8 and 8-5 in the conference. The Lady Buffs will look to have their first undefeated season in the LSC since the 1990-91 campaign. Trying to make a blemish one WTAMU's record will be Midwestern State on Saturday at the First United Bank Center for a 6 p.m. tip-off.