COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado – The #9 Lady Buffs of West Texas A&M opened up the 2017-18 season in style on Friday afternoon as 12 different players scored in a 61-34 victory over the Mountain Lions of UC-Colorado Springs at the Gallogly Events Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
 
THE BASICS:
 - Score: #9 West Texas A&M 61, UC-Colorado Springs 34
 - Records: WT (1-0) / UCCS (0-1)
 - Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado
 - Venue: Gallogly Events Center
 - Series (Streak): WT Leads 8-2 (W4)
 
LEADING THE WAY (Statistical Leaders):
 - Points: Shana Leaf (UCCS, 15 Points), Lexy Hightower (WT, 13 Points)
 - Rebounds: Tiana Parker (WT, 8 Rebounds), Maddie Golla (UCCS, 8 Rebounds)
 - Assists: Megan Gamble (WT, 4 Assists), Kristen Vigil (UCCS, 2 Assists)
 - Steals: Deleyah Harris (WT, 6 Steals)
 - Blocks: Tiana Parker (WT, 3 Blocks), Maddie Golla (UCCS, 1 Block)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- West Texas A&M was led offensively by Lexy Hightower with 13 points as the sophomore went 5-of-15 from the floor including 1-of-5 from deep and 2-of-2 from the free throw line in 31 minutes. Tiana Parker led the way defensively as the Tennessee State transfer grabbed a game-high eight rebounds to go along with three blocks and six points.
- Shana Leaf led all players with 15 points as she went 5-of-7 from the floor including 2-of-2 from deep and 3-of-5 from the charity stripe. Maddie Golla tied a game-high with eight rebounds in the loss while Kristen Vigil dished out a pair of assists.
 
FIRST HALF:
- The Lady Buffs went 13-of-31 (41.9%) from the field including 1-of-5 (20%) from behind the arc and 2-of-2 (100%) from the free throw line to go along with 24 rebounds (four offensive, 20 defensive), six assists, 10 turnovers, three blocks and seven.
- UCCS finished off the first half going 7-of-31 (22.6%) from the floor including 2-of-12 (16.7%) from deep and 1-of-2 (50%) from the free throw line to go along with 17 rebounds (four offensive, 13 defensive), two assists, 10 turnovers, one block and two steals.
 
SECOND HALF:
- WT finished the game going 24-of-62 (38.7%) from the floor including 4-of-18 (22.2%) from deep and 9-of-11 (81.8%) from the free throw line with 50 rebounds (nine offensive, 41 defensive), 13 assists, 15 turnovers, four blocks and 11 steals.
- UCCS went 13-of-61 (21.3%) from the floor including 4-of-24 (16.7%) from behind the arc and 4-of-7 (57.1%) from the free throw line with 37 rebounds (eight offensive, 29 defensive), four assists, 17 turnovers, one block and two steals in the loss.
 
UP NEXT:
The Lady Buffs continue their Colorado road trip on Saturday afternoon as they take on the Rangers of Regis in a rematch of last year's South Central Regional Quarterfinals with tipoff set for 4:30 p.m. at the Regis Fieldhouse in Denver.