BELLINGHAM, Washington – The #3 Lady Buffs of West Texas A&M remained unbeaten on Monday night as they outlasted Simon Fraser, 78-59 during the opening day of the 2017 Western Washington Viking Holiday Hoops Classic at Sam Carver Gymnasium in Bellingham, Washington.
 
THE BASICS:
 - Score: #3 West Texas A&M 78, Simon Fraser 59
-  Records: WT (10-0 / SFU (4-5)
 - Location: Bellingham, Washington
 - Venue: Sam Carver Gymnasium
 - Series (Streak): WT Leads 2-1 (W1)
 
LEADING THE WAY (Statistical Leaders):
 - Points: Lexy Hightower (WT, 21 Points), Tiana Parker (WT, 18 Points)
 - Rebounds: Tiana Parker (WT, 7 Rebounds), Tayla Jackson (SFU, 7 Rebounds)
 - Assists: Megan Gamble (WT, 7 Assists), Sydney Walton (WT, 6 Assists(
 - Steals: Tayler Drynan (SFU, 4 Steals), Tiana Parker (WT, 3 Steals), Nicole Vander Helm (SFU, 3 Steals)
 - Blocks: Delayah Harris (WT, 2 Blocks), Tayla Jackson (SFU, 1 Blocks)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- West Texas A&M was led offensively by Lexy Hightower with 21 points as the sophomore went 8-of-16 from the floor including 5-of-9 from deep followed by Tiana Parker with 18 points and seven rebounds in the win.
- Taylor Jackson led the Clan with 12 points as she went 6-of-10 from the floor with seven rebounds and two assists followed by Sophie Swant (11) and Nicole Vander Helm (10) with double-digit points.
 
FIRST HALF:
- The Lady Buffs went 14-of-33 (42.4%) from the field including 1-of-8 (12.5%) from deep and 1-of-2 (50%) from the free throw line with 18 rebounds (six offensive, 12 defensive), 12 assists, six turnovers, no blocks and nine steals.
- Simon Fraser finished the opening half going 10-of-32 (31.3%) from the floor including 3-of-19 (15.8%) from deep and 1-of-2 (50%) from the free throw line with 20 total rebounds (nine offensive, 11 defensive), six assists, nine turnovers, no blocks and two steals in the opening half.
 
SECOND HALF:
- WT finished the game going 33-of-59 (55.9%) from the field including 7-of-16 (43.8%) from behind the arc and 5-of-8 (62.5%) from the charity stripe with 42 rebounds (11 offensive, 31 defensive), 27 assists, 19 turnovers, two blocks and 11 steals in the win.
- SFU went 21-of-63 (33.3%) from the floor including 7-of-36 (19.4%) from deep and 10-of-13 (76.9%) from the free throw line with 24 rebounds (10 offensive, 19 defensive), 15 assists, 12 turnovers, one block and 12 steals on the night.
 
UP NEXT:
The Lady Buffs conclude the 2017 Viking Holiday Hoops Classic on Tuesday night as they take on the host Vikings of Western Washington with tipoff set for 9:30 p.m. CT from Bellingham.