CANYON, Texas – West Texas A&M sophomore guard Lexy Hightower poured in a career high 26 points with two other Lady Buffs in double-figures but it wasn't enough as the visiting TexAnns of Tarleton State escaped the First United Bank Center with a 66-64 Lone Star Conference victory on Thursday night in Canyon.

THE BASICS:
 - Score: Tarleton State 66, #8 West Texas A&M 64
-  Records: WT (15-2, 7-2 LSC) / TSU (11-6, 5-4 LSC)
 - Location: Canyon, Texas
 - Venue: First United Bank Center
 - Series (Streak): WT Leads 36-11 (L1)
 
LEADING THE WAY (Statistical Leaders):
 - Points: Lexy Hightower (WT, 26 Points), Machenzie Hailey (TSU, 19 Points)
 - Rebounds: Deleyah Harris (WT, 10 Rebounds), Tiana Parker (WT, 7 Rebounds)
 - Assists: Baylee Peck (TSU, 4 Assists), Kylie Collins (TSU, 4 Assists)
 - Steals: Deleyah Harris (WT, 3 Steals), Kylie Collins (TSU, 3 Steals)
 - Blocks: Tiana Parker (WT, 2 Blocks)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- West Texas A&M was led offensively by Lexy Hightower who went 10-of-16 from the floor including 5-of-7 from behind the arc for a career high 26 points followed by Madison Parker with 13 and Tiana Parker with 11, Deleyah Harris led all players with 10 rebounds on the night.
- Mackenzie Hailey led the way for the TexAnns as the sophomore went 7-of-14 from the floor and 5-of-5 from the free throw line with 19 points followed by McKinley Bostad with 14 and Tiara Tatum with 10.
 
FIRST HALF:
- The Lady Buffs went 12-of-20 (60%) from the floor in the opening half including 5-of-8 (62.5%) from behind the arc and a perfect 6-of-6 from the free throw line with 11 rebounds (four offensive, seven defensive), seven assists, 18 turnovers, two blocks and four steals.
- Tarleton State went 15-of-26 (57.7%) from the field including 4-of-8 (50%) from deep and 8-of-9 (88.9%) from the charity stripe with eight rebounds (four offensive, four defensive), 10 assists, nine turnovers, no blocks and nine steals.
 
SECOND HALF:
- WT finished the game going 25-of-51 (49%) from the floor including 6-of-14 (42.9%) from deep and 8-of-13 (61.5%) from the free throw line with 35 rebounds (15 offensive, 20 defensive), 13 assists, 27 turnovers, two blocks and nine steals on the night.
- Tarleton State went 22-of-48 (45.8%) from the field in the game including 6-of-16 (37.5%) from behind the arc and 16-of-20 (80%) from the charity stripe with 21 rebounds (eight offensive, 13 defensive), 16 assists, 17 turnovers, one block and 13 steals.
 
UP NEXT:
The Lady Buffs return to the friendly confines of the First United Bank Center on Saturday afternoon with a Lone Star Conference showdown with Texas A&M-Commerce with tipoff set for 2 p.m. in a Division II Basketball Showcase broadcasted on ESPN3.