SAN ANGELO, Texas – The #2 Lady Buffs of West Texas A&M showed heart on Saturday afternoon as they trailed by as many as 13 points in the second half before fighting back as Lexy Hightower connected on a jumper in the paint as time expired to give WT a Lone Star Conference road victory over the rival #18 Angelo State Rambelles at the Junell Center in San Angelo, Texas.
 
THE BASICS
The Matchup: #2 West Texas A&M 61, #18 Angelo State 59
Records: West Texas A&M (13-1, 5-1 LSC), Angelo State (10-2, 5-1 LSC)
Venue: Junell Center
Location: San Angelo, Texas
Series History (Streak): Lady Buffs lead 51-19 (W2)
 
LEADING THE WAY (Statistical Leaders)
 - Points: Tyesha Taylor (WT, 21 Points), Dezirae Hampton (ASU, 15 Points)
 - Rebounds: Deleyah Harris (WT, 12 Rebounds), De'Anira Moore (ASU, 12 Rebounds)
 - Assists: Marquita Daniels (ASU, 5 Assists), Dezirae Hamption (ASU, 4 Assists)
 - Steals: Tyesha Taylor (WT, 3 Steals), Lexy Hightower (WT, 2 Steals), Nathalie Linden (WT, 2 Steals)
 - Blocks: De'Anira Moore (ASU, 3 Blocks), Abby Spurgin (WT, 2 Blocks)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
- West Texas A&M was led offensively by the LSC's leading scorer as the senior went 9-of-16 from the floor and 3-of-6 from the free throw line with 21 points followed by Lexy Hightower with 12, Deleyah Harris grabbed 12 rebounds while Hightower dished out a team-high three assists.
- Dezirae Hampton led the way for the Belles as the senior went 5-of-11 from the field including 3-of-4 from behind the arc with 15 points followed by De'Anira Moore with 11 to go along with 12 rebounds for the double-double, Marquita Daniels dished out a game-high five assists while Moore rejected three shots on the afternoon.
 
FIRST HALF
- The Lady Buffs went 9-of-26 (36%) from the field in the first half including 3-of-6 (50%) from behind the arc and 5-of-6 (83.3%) from the free throw line with 18 rebounds (five offensive, 13 defensive), five assists, five 13 turnovers, one block and six steals.
- Angelo State finished the first half going 11-of-29 (37.9%) from the floor including 8-of-10 (80%) from deep and 7-of-9 (77.8%) from the charity stripe with 15 total rebounds (five offensive, 10 defensive), seven assists, eight turnovers, two blocks and one steal.

SECOND HALF
- WT finished the game going 25-of-58 (43.1%) from the floor including 5-of-12 (41.7%) from deep and 6-of-11 (54.5%) from the free throw line with 40 total rebounds (11 offensive, 29 defensive), nine assists, 19 turnovers, two blocks and 10 steals in the win.
- The Belles went 21-of-61 (34.4%) from the field including 10-of-16 (62.5%) from behind the arc and 7-of-9 (77.8%) from the charity stripe with 32 rebounds (10 offensive, 22 defensive), 10 assists, 16 turnovers, four blocks and a pair of steals on the afternoon.
 
UP NEXT
The Lady Buffs finally return to the friendly confines of the First United Bank Center on Thursday night as they host the rival Lions of Texas A&M-Commerce with tipoff set for 5:30 p.m. in Lone Star Conference action.