SILVER CITY, New Mexico – The #5 Lady Buffs of West Texas A&M opened their 2017 Lone Star Conference schedule on a high note on Thursday night as they outlasted the Mustangs of Western New Mexico, 57-43 in front of over 200 fans at Drag's Court in Silver City, New Mexico.
 
THE BASICS:
 - Score: #5 West Texas A&M 57, Western New Mexico 43
 - Records: WT (6-0, 1-0 LSC) / WNMU (0-6, 0-1 LSC)
 - Location: Silver City, New Mexico
 - Venue: Drag's Court
 - Series (Streak): WT Leads 7-1 (W6)
 
LEADING THE WAY (Statistical Leaders):
 - Points: Deleyah Harris (WT, 19 Points), Tyesha Taylor (WT, 10 Points), Rachel Francisco (WNMU, 10 Points)
 - Rebounds: Deleyah Harris (WT, 7 Rebounds), Tyesha Taylor (WT, 5 Rebounds), Sydney Walton (WT, 5 Rebounds), Ciara Fields (WNMU, 5 Rebounds), Myla Woods-Brown (WNMU, 5 Rebounds)
 - Assists: Megan Gamble (WT, 5 Assists), Takiyah Lopez (WNMU, 4 Assists)
 - Steals: Lexy Hightower (WT, 2 Steals), Tiana Parker (WT, 2 Steals), Madison Parker (WT, 2 Steals), Tyesha Taylor (WT, 2 Steals), Rachel Francisco (WNMU, 2 Steals), Ciara Fields (WNMU, 2 Steals), Ashton Carrassco (WNMU, 2 Steals)
 - Blocks: Tiana Parker (WT, 2 Blocks), Takiyah Lopez (WNMU, 2 Blocks)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- West Texas A&M was led offensively by Deleyah Harris who went 7-of-10 from the floor including 1-of-3 from deep and 4-of-5 from the free throw line to score a career high 19 points to go along with seven rebounds while Tyesha Taylor chipped in 10 points.
- Rachel Francisco led the way for the Mustangs as she went 4-of-7 from the field including 2-of-4 from behind the arc to finish the night with 10 points while Ciara Fields and Myla Woods-Brown grabbed five rebounds each in the loss.
 
FIRST HALF:
- The Lady Buffs went 12-of-25 (48%) from the floor in the first half including 4-of-10 (40%) from deep and 1-of-1 from the charity stripe with 12 rebounds (one offensive, 11 defensive), 11 assists, 10 turnovers, two blocks and eight steals.
- WNMU finished the first half going 8-of-24 (66.7%) from the field including 4-of-13 (30.8%) from behind the arc and 4-of-4 from the free throw line with 16 rebounds (four offensive, 12 defensive), five assists, 14 turnovers, one block and three steals.
 
SECOND HALF:
- WT finished the game going 22-of-48 (45.8%) from the field including 4-of-14 (28.6%) from deep and 9-of-15 (60%) from the free throw line with 34 rebounds (nine offensive, 25 defensive), 17 assists, 18 turnovers, four blocks and 11 steals.
- Western New Mexico went 15-of-52 (28.8%) from the floor including 6-of-21 (28.6%) from behind the arc and 7-of-8 (87.5%) from the charity stripe with 30 rebounds (10 offensive, 20 defensive), nine assists, 20 turnovers, three blocks and seven steals in the loss.
 
UP NEXT:
The Lady Buffs continue their New Mexico road trip on Saturday afternoon as they take on the Greyhounds of Eastern New Mexico with tipoff set for 3:00 p.m. CT from Greyhound Arena in Portales.