CANYON, Texas – A season-high 50 points in the first half by the No. 10-ranked West Texas A&M Lady Buffs in an 80-48 win over Colorado Christian to win the 2016 PAK-A-SAK Lady Buff Thanksgiving Classic.  WT had three players in double figures and all 12 Lady Buffs scored in the game as the Lady Buffs improved to 5-1 on the year, while Colorado Christian fell to 2-3.

WT senior Alie Decker led the way with 15 points on 5 of 9 from the field with three triples and two free throws. Seniors Sasha Watson and Maddison Wild each had 11 points as Watson was 5 of 9 from the field with a triple, while Wild was a perfect 4 of 4 from the field with three triples. 

WT shot 54.5 percent for the game on 30 of 55 for its third-straight game of 50 percent or better.  The Lady Buffs hit a season-high nine triples on 18 attempts and went 11 of 13 from the line.  WT tallied 31 rebounds in the game and held a 32-22 lead in points in the paint, while forcing 23 turnovers leading to a 37-3 lead in points off turnovers as WT committed just 13 miscues. 

CCU was led by 15 points from Haley Shaner off the bench as she was 6 of 7 from the field with three triples.  The Cougars shot 40.8 percent on 20 of 49 and were 4 of 17 from beyond the arc, while going 4 of 7 from the line. 

The Lady Buffs raced out to an early 13-4 lead courtesy of 5 of 6 shooting with a triple as senior Sasha Watson opened with seven points, two assists and a steal through the first four minutes, including a scoop and score as CCU called a timeout with 6:30 left in the quarter.  Freshman Lexy Hightower buried a triple for a 20-6 lead and then scored inside for a 22-6 lead with 1:23 left in the quarter.  WT led 24-9 after the first quarter as it went 10 of 14 from the field with two triples. 

WT scored the first five points of the second quarter, including a transition triple from Hightower for a 29-9 lead with 6:46 left in the half and a timeout by the Cougars.  WT opened 12 of 17 from the field and 3 of 5 from range, while CCU was just 4 of 14 and 0 of 4 from beyond the arc.

From there, the Lady Buffs heated up from beyond the arc as senior Maddison Wild buried two triples in succession and the Lady Buffs hit eight trifectas for the half going 8 of 11 from deep.  WT built a 50-22 lead at intermission and shot 20 of 27 from the field (.714) for a season-best, while going 2 of 3 from the line.  The Lady Buffs were led by 14 points from Watson on 6 of 8 from the field with two triples.  Four different Lady Buffs each had two triples in the half. 

CCU was 10 of 24 from the field for 41.7 percent and went 0 of 5 from range, while also going 2 of 3 from the line.  WT forced 12 turnovers on CCU and led 25-0 on points off turnovers.  Claire Paxton had a team-high six points for the Cougars.

The hot shooting of the Lady Buffs continued into the third quarter as they opened 3 of 5 and 2 of 2 from the line, while CCU was 0 of 6 and made one free throw.  WT opened the half on an 8-1 run for a 58-23 lead with 4:49 left in the quarter.  WT swelled the lead to 65-33 through three quarters.

Following the tournament, Decker was named PAK-A-SAK Thanksgiving Classic Most Valuable Player, while Watson and junior Sydney Walton were named to the all-tournament team.  Cameron's Savanna James and Paxton of Colorado Christian also were named to the team.

The Lady Buffs continue the six-game home stand as they begin Lone Star Conference play Thursday against Western New Mexico at the First United Bank Center.  It will be WNMU's first Lone Star Conference game as a member of the league.