CANYON, Texas – West Texas A&M junior guard David Chavlovich scored 30 points and the Buffs took over in the second half as they outlasted the rival Mustangs of Midwestern State, 80-74 in front of the biggest home crowd of the season in a Highway 287 Challenge Cup matchup at the First United Bank Center in Canyon on Saturday afternoon. WT moves to 21-6 (9-5 LSC) while MSU falls to 13-11 (6-9 LSC) overall.
 
The Buffs went 13-of-28 (46.4%) from the floor in the first half including 6-of-14 (42.9%) from long range and 2-of-2 (100%) from the free throw line with 17 total rebounds (four offensive, 13 defensive), seven assists, 12 turnovers, two blocks and three steals. Chavlovich went 6-of-9 from the floor in the first period including 3-of-5 from deep with 15 points followed by Jordan Evans with eight.
 
MSU was led at the break by Brandon Neel who went 5-of-10 from the floor and 1-of-4 from deep with 13 points followed by Magnus Richards with 12 points and five rebounds. The Mustangs went 16-of-39 (41%) from the field in the first period including 4-of-14 (28.6%) from deep and 4-of-5 (80%) from the charity stripe with 21 rebounds (nine offensive, 12 defensive), 10 assists, seven turnovers, two blocks and four steals.
 
West Texas A&M went 25-of-55 (45.5%) from the floor including 8-of-26 (30.8%) from long range and 22-of-25 (88%) from the free throw line to go along with 33 rebounds (10 offensive, 23 defensive), 15 assists, 17 turnovers, four blocks and seven steals. WT was led by Chavlovich with 30 points followed by Skyler O'Laughlin (17) and Jordan Evans (13) in double-figures while Chavlovich led the way with seven rebounds on the night.
 
The Mustangs went 28-of-69 (40.6%) from the field including 9-of-26 (34.6%) from deep and 9-of-14 (64.3%) from the charity stripe with 39 rebounds (19 offensive, 20 defensive), 16 assists, 16 turnovers, four blocks and seven steals. MSU was led by Neel with 21 points followed by Magnus with 16 and Pat Smith with 13 while Richards grabbed eight rebounds in the loss.
 
West Texas A&M hits the road for Lone Star Conference action next weekend as they head to Kingsville, Texas to take on the Javelinas with tipoff set for 7:30 p.m. on Thursday night at the Steinke Center.