CANYON, Texas – No. 3 West Texas A&M, playing for the first time at home this season, fought off a pesky Wayland Baptist squad in a 61-56 exhibition victory Saturday afternoon at the First United Bank Center. 

Following the 2-1 start in California, WT played in front of 782 fans in the First United Bank Center and held the lead the entire way over No. 22-ranked Wayland Baptist of National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).  WT had three players in double figures led by 14 points from senior Alie Decker as she was 4 of 10 from the field with all triples and two free throws.  Senior Maddison Wild added 12 points and a team-high six rebounds, while freshman Lexy Hightower chipped in 13 points off the bench on 5 of 9 from the field with three triples. 

WT shot 44.2 percent for the game on 23 of 52 and was 9 of 25 from beyond the arc, but went the line just seven times, making six.  WT held a 35-27 lead in rebounding, but 26 turnovers led to a 29-26 WBU lead in points off miscues. 

The Flying Queens, who already are 2-0 on the year, also had three players in double figures led by game-high 19 points and nine rebounds from Jade Jones as she was 8 of 13 from the field and 3 of 4 from the line with five steals.  Canyon sisters Shayla and Shawna Monreal each had 11 points and combined to go 8 of 15, but were a combined 0 of 4 from beyond the arc.

As a team, WBU also shot 44.2 percent on 23 of 52 from the field, too.  WBU didn't make a triple going 0 for 8 and was 10 of 17 from the line.  The Flying Queens had 19 turnovers, but forced 13 steals in the game. 

WT raced out to a 20-9 lead through the first quarter and scored the first seven points of the game, but WBU came roaring back in the second quarter pulling within 20-19 on a 10-0 run capped with a layup from Shawna Monreal after a steal from Morgan Bennett with four minutes left in the half.

Hightower answered and Decker buried a triple for a 25-19 lead.  Following a Jones bucket, Hightower buried one from deep for a 28-21 lead with 1:03 left in the half as two free throws at the buzzer by senior Sasha Watson gave WT a 30-23 lead at intermission.

WBU cut the deficit to four midway through the third, but an 8-0 run by the Lady Buffs followed for a 42-30 lead with 3:29 left in the quarter.  Decker buried a triple with 50 seconds left in the period for a 45-35 lead. 

Following a layup from Shayna Monreal, Decker hit a triple starting an 8-0 run for a 58-42 lead capped with a bucket from junior Madison Parker with 6:51 left.  WBU had the answer though as turnovers got the Flying Queens back in it as they trimmed the deficit two five capped with two free throws from Shawna Monreal with 2:13 left at 58-53 on an 11-0 run.  Wild buried a jumper pushing the lead to seven and scored one of two free throws after a bucket from WBU for a 61-55 lead with 1:07 left. 

Neither team hit a field goal in the final 1:35 of the game. 

The Lady Buffs open the 2016-17 home slate Friday, Nov. 18 at 5:30 p.m. at the First United Bank Center against St. Edward's.  Check back with www.gobuffsgo.com for the latest information on women's basketball and all of WT's sports.