CANYON, Texas – Four Buffs scored in double figures as No. 3 West Texas A&M advanced to their third-straight NCAA South Central Regional Final after defeating Texas A&M-Commerce, 77-61, in the regional semifinal on Saturday night in front of 2,514 fans at the First United Bank Center. It was a historic win for the Buffs as they now a program-best 33-3 while tying the program record with their 18 straight win while their home win streak reached 25 games.
The Buffs host No. 2 seed St. Edward's on Tuesday, March 19, in the South Central Regional Final at the FUBC at 7 p.m. The Hilltoppers advanced to the regional final after defeating Lubbock Christian 93-80 in Austin, Texas. Tickets will go on sale on Sunday, March 17, at 12 – 4 p.m. at the ticket office.
THE BASICS,
The Matchup:#3 West Texas A&M 77, Texas A&M-Commerce 61
Records:#4 West Texas A&M (33-3), Texas A&M-Commerce (24-8)
Venue:First United Bank Center
Location:Canyon, Texas
The first half was a back-and-forth battle with six lead changes and six ties. Neither team led by more than three points over the first 14 minutes before jumpers from Qua Grant and Gach Gach made it 23-19 at 5:01. WT continued stay in front thanks to a three from Gach and a layup from Ryan Quaid as the Buffs lead 30-25 at halftime.
WT pushed the lead to seven points, 32-25, on a jumper in the paint from Grant before the Lions responded with a 6-0 run over the next minute to cut the lead to one. Jordan Collins made three of the biggest shots of the game starting with a jumper at 16:56 before hitting a deep three to give the Buffs a 37-34 lead. TAMUC would tie the game on the next trip down the floor with three free throws from Rodney Brown.
Collins came up big again from downtown to spark a 14-2 lead over the next five minutes to take control of the game. On the next possession, Grant put back Joel Murray's midrange jumper before hitting a three-pointer from a steal from his fellow freshman. Following a basket from TAMUC, Collins hit a runner in the lane with Grant and Brandon Hall finishing the run with jumpers.
Following two straight makes from the Lions, WT scored eight straight points to stretch the lead to 16, 59-43, with under eight minutes remaining in the game. The lead would reach a game-high 17 on four different occasions including in the final minute a free throw from Hall as the Buffs eliminated the Lions in the NCAA Tournament for the third straight season.
WT finished the contest 31-of-65 (47.7%) from the floor, and 10-of-32 (31.3%) from three-point range and 5-of-8 (62.5%) from the free throw line with 37 rebounds, 13 assists, four steals and one block. Grant broke the freshman record for most 20-point performances in a season finishing with 22 going 9-of-14 from the floor while pulling down eight rebounds and four assists. Halll and Quaid finished with 13 point apiece with Collins chipping in 10 points off the bench.
