FRISCO, Texas – The #23 Lady Buffs of West Texas A&M stayed focused through a wild 24 hours as they came out firing on Day 2 of the Lone Star Conference Quarterfinals on Friday afternoon to top the rival Mustangs of Midwestern State in a Highway 287 Challenge Cup showdown 70-49 at Dr Pepper Arena in Frisco, Texas. The Lady Buffs led 32-26 heading into the third quarter following the postponement of yesterday's contest due to facility issues.
 
THE BASICS:
 - Score: #23 West Texas A&M 70, Midwestern State 49
-  Records: WT (25-4) / MSU (13-14)
 - Location: Frisco, Texas
 - Venue: Dr Pepper Arena
 - Series (Streak): WT Leads 50-14 (W10)
 
LEADING THE WAY (Statistical Leaders):
 - Points: Lexy Hightower (WT, 13 Points), Madison Parker (WT, 13 Points)
 - Rebounds: Madison Parker (WT, 14 Rebounds), Micheline Mercelita (MSU, 10 Rebounds)
 - Assists: Jasmine Richardson (MSU, 3 Assists), Megan Gamble (WT, 2 Assists), Sydney Walton (WT, 2 Assists), Lexy Hightower (WT, 2 Assists), Madison Parker (WT, 2 Assists), Deleyah Harris (WT, 2 Assists), Chelcie Kizart (MSU, 2 Assists), Whitney Taylor (MSU, 2 Assists)
 - Steals: Megan Gamble (WT, 5 Steals), Lexy Hightower (WT, 2 Steals), Tyesha Taylor (WT, 2 Steals), Kristin Rydell (MSU, 2 Steals)
 - Blocks: Tiana Parker (WT, 4 Blocks), Avery Queen (MSU, 2 Blocks)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- West Texas A&M was led offensively by Lexy Hightower and Madison Parker with 13 points each while Parker also grabbed 14 rebounds for a double-double, Megan Gamble scored a career high 12 points to go along with five rebounds, two assists and five steals in the win.
-Micheline Mercelita led the way for the Mustangs as she went 4-of-6 from the floor including 3-of-9 from the free throw line to score 11 points while grabbing 10 rebounds for the double-double, Whitney Taylor and Kristen Rydell chipped in eight points each for MSU.
 
FIRST HALF:
- The Lady Buffs finished the first half going 11-of-33 (33.3%) from the field including 1-of-8 (12.5%) from behind the arc and 9-of-11 (81.8%) from the charity stripe with 26 rebounds (10 offensive, 16 defensive), five assists, eight turnovers, one block and three steals.
- Midwestern State went 10-of-30 (33.3%) from the floor in the opening period including 4-of-11 (36.4%) from deep and 2-of-4 (50%) from the free throw line with 17 rebounds (five offensive, 12 defensive), eight assists, nine turnovers, three blocks and three steals.

SECOND HALF:
- WT finished the game going 23-of-65 (35.4%) from the floor including 4-of-16 (25%) from behind the arc and 20-of-26 (76.9%) from the free throw line with 54 rebounds (20 offensive, 34 defensive), 12 assists, 15 turnovers, six blocks and nine steals in the win.
- The Mustangs went 17-of-60 (28.3%) from the field in the game including 5-of-22 (22.7%) from deep and 10-of-18 (55.6%) from the free throw line with 37 rebounds (13 offensive, 24 defensive), 10 assists, 16 turnovers, six blocks and four steals.
 
UP NEXT:
The Lady Buffs will continue their postseason run on Saturday afternoon as they take on third seeded Texas A&M-Commerce at 12 p.m. CT in the Semifinal Round of the 2018 Lone Star Conference Championship from Dr Pepper Arena in Frisco, Texas.