BELLINGHAM, Washington – The #3 Lady Buffs of West Texas A&M led by as many as 11 in the first half but a young Western Washington team gave WT all they could handle before the Lady Buffs pulled away for a 78-62 victory on Tuesday night to conclude the Viking Holiday Hoops Classic in Bellingham, Washington.
 
THE BASICS:
 - Score: #3 West Texas A&M 78, Western Washington 62
-  Records: WT (11-0 / SFU (5-5)
 - Location: Bellingham, Washington
 - Venue: Sam Carver Gymnasium
 - Series (Streak): WT Leads 2-0 (W2)
 
LEADING THE WAY (Statistical Leaders):
 - Points: Lexy Hightower (WT, 21 Points), Madison Parker (WT, 17 Points)
 - Rebounds: Madison Parker (WT, 8 Rebounds), Anna Schwecke (WWU, 8 Rebounds)
 - Assists: Madison Parker (WT, 5 Assists), Megan Gamble (WT, 4 Assists), Gracie Castaneda (WWU, 4 Assists)
 - Steals: Lexy Hightower (WT, 4 Steals), Hannah Stipanovich (WWU, 4 Steals)
 - Blocks: Tiana Parker (WT, 3 Blocks), Sydney Walton (WT, 1 Block), Deleyah Harris (WT, 1 Block)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- West Texas A&M was led offensively by Lexy Hightower with her second consecutive game with 21 points to tie a career high as the sophomore went 8-of-14 from the floor and 5-of-6 from deep followed by Madison Parker with 17 and Tiana Parker with 11. Hightower was tabbed the Tournament MVP while Parker was also named to the All-Tournament Team.
- Anna Schwecke led the way for the Vikings offensively with 12 points as she went 6-of-7 from the field to go along with eight rebounds followed by Hannah Stipanovich with 10 points, three rebounds and three assists on the night.
 
FIRST HALF:
- The Lady Buffs went 16-of-23 (69.6%) from the floor in the opening half including 3-of-4 (75%) from deep and 3-of-4 (75%) from the free throw line with 14 rebounds (one offensive, 13 defensive), 10 assists, nine turnovers, two blocks and five steals.
- Western Washington went 13-of-31 (41.9%) from the field including 4-of-11 (36.4%) from behind the arc and 2-of-3 (66.7%) from the charity stripe with 10 rebounds (five offensive, five defensive), 10 assists, six turnovers, no blocks and six steals in the first half.
 
SECOND HALF:
- WT finished the game going 31-of-51 (60.8%) from the field including 5-of-9 (55.6%) from deep and 11-of-18 (61.1%) from the charity stripe with 30 rebounds (seven offensive, 23 defensive), 19 assists, 15 turnovers, five blocks and nine steals in the win.
- WWU went 23-of-51 (45.1%) from the floor including 7-of-20 (35%) from behind the arc and 9-of-17 (52,9%) from the free throw line with 23 rebounds (seven offensive, 16 defensive), 17 assists, 18 turnovers, no blocks and seven steals on the night.
 
UP NEXT:
The Lady Buffs now head into the mandatory NCAA holiday break before hosting University of the Southwest on Friday, December 29^th with tipoff set for 5:30 p.m. at the First United Bank Center in Canyon.