CANYON, Texas – A career-high 20 points by West Texas A&M freshman Lexy Hightower highlighted four Lady Buffs in double figures and all 11 players scored in a 97-33 rout of University of the Southwest (N.M.) Friday evening at the First United Bank Center.  With the win, WT improved to 9-4 on the year.

Hightower, in her first career start, went 8 of 13 from the field and a career-high 4 of 7 from beyond the arc with four assists and three steals.  Senior Sasha Watson added 16 points on 6 of 8 from the field and a career-best 4 of 5 from beyond the arc, while senior Lilley Vander Zee had 13 points and a team-high nine rebounds and senior Maddison Wild chipped in 10 points. 

"The goal was to get better no matter the score and how much time was left and I thought we did that and got some good minutes from our entire team tonight," WT head coach Kristen Mattio said.  "Everyone stepped up when their number was called tonight."

The Lady Buffs shot 58.7 percent from the field on 37 of 63.  WT was 9 of 17 from beyond the arc and 14 of 17 from the line, while pulling down 39 rebounds with 24 assists and 12 steals.  The Lady Buffs turned it over just 12 times in the game. 

WT jumped out to a big lead early and never looked back as it led 14-2 through the first four minutes.  The Lady Buffs led 25-5 through the first quarter as USW started just 1 of 8 from the field as the Lady Buff "D" held USW to just 1 of 11 shooting through the first 15:40 of the half and held a 37-9 lead. 

The Lady Buffs led 52-11 at halftime as the team was 20 of 35 from the field (.571) and 6 of 12 from beyond the arc, while going a perfect 6 of 6 from the line.  USW was just 3 of 15 from the field, 0 of 4 from beyond the arc and 5 of 6 from the line.

All 11 players got involved in the second half as all scored including birthday girl senior Bailey Thiel who had six points, while sophomore Taylor LaCour had eight points. 

USW, playing with just six players in the game, was led by 14 points from Mikaela Ochoa who was 4 of 8 from the field and 6 of 6 from the line.  Mykal Thomas added 11 points playing all 40 minutes.  USW went 12 of 40 from the field for 30 percent and was 0 of 8 from beyond the arc, while going 9 of 12 from the line. 

WT held a 39-18 lead in rebounding, while leading 14-4 on the offensive end. 

The Lady Buffs open 2017 at Midwestern State Jan. 5 at 5:30 p.m. in Wichita Falls and at Cameron on Jan. 7 at 2 p.m.  The next Lady Buff home game is scheduled for Jan. 12 at 5:30 p.m. against Angelo State at the First United Bank Center.