CANYON, Texas – The #4 Lady Buffs of West Texas A&M overcame a slow start on Thursday night as they trailed by as many as 12 points in the second period before ending the first half on a 13-0 to top the Drovers of University of Science & Arts, 71-42 in exhibition action at the First United Bank Center in Canyon.
 
THE BASICS
The Matchup: #4 West Texas A&M 71, University of Science & Arts 42
Records: West Texas A&M (8-0, 2-0 LSC), Science & Arts (3-4, 0-2 SAC)
Venue: First United Bank Center
Location: Canyon, Texas
 
LEADING THE WAY (Statistical Leaders):
 - Points: Lexy Hightower (WT, 21 Points), Tyesha Taylor (WT, 10 Points), Reyna Ammons (USAO, 10 Points), Taylor Alexander (USAO, 10 Points)
 - Rebounds: Tyesha Taylor (WT, 9 Rebounds), Deleyah Harris (WT, 8 Rebounds)
 - Assists: Megan Gamble (WT, 4 Assists)
 - Steals: Deleyah Harris (WT, 3 Steals), Trinity Smitherman (USAO, 3 Steals)
 - Blocks: None
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- West Texas A&M was led offensively by Lexy Hightower who went 8-of-13 from the floor including 3-of-6 from behind the arc to finish the night with 21 points followed by Tyesha Taylor with 10 points to go along with nine rebounds, Megan Gamble dished out a game-high four assists while Deleyah Harris had three steals.
-  Reyna Ammons and Taylor Alexander led the way for the Drovers with 10 points each followed by Tori James and Jaye Cage with seven, Amanda Gibson grabbed five rebounds while Trinity Smitherman had three steals.
 
FIRST HALF:
- The Lady Buffs went 8-of-30 (26.7%) from the floor in the first half including 4-of-13 (30.8%) from deep and 3-of-8 (37.5%) from the charity stripe with 17 total rebounds (six offensive, 11 defensive), five assists, nine turnovers, five steals and no blocks.
- USAO finished the first half going 9-of-21 (42.9%) from the field including 3-of-5 (60%) from behind the arc and 0-of-2 from the free throw line with 14 rebounds (one offensive, 13 defensive), four assists, 12 turnovers, six steals and no blocks.

SECOND HALF:
- WT finished the game going 25-of-59 (42.4%) from the floor including 7-of-22 (31.8%) from deep and 14-of-23 (60.9%) from the free throw line with 42 rebounds (12 offensive, 30 defensive), 11 assists, 17 turnovers and eight steals.
- The Drovers went 17-of-52 (32.7%) from the field including 4-of-14 (28.6%) from behind the arc and 4-of-10 (40%) from the charity stripe with 21 rebounds (seven offensive, 14 defensive), five assists, 17 turnovers and 11 steals on the night.
 
UP NEXT:
The Lady Buffs now take a break for fall finals as they return to action on December 17-18 as they head to Fort Lauderdale, Florida to take park in the Cruzin Classic presented by Trip Sports at the Broward County Convention Center with matchups scheduled against Barry and Palm Beach Atlantic.