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CANYON, TEXAS - No. 4 West Texas A&M will play at the First United Bank Center for the first time in 2020 when they host Angelo State on Thursday, Jan. 16. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
 
The Buffs return to the friendly confines of the FUBC, where they have won a NCAA-best 34 straight games, after opening the decade with road wins over Eastern New Mexico, UT Permian Basin and Western New Mexico. 
 
A LOOK BACK AT WESTERN NEW MEXICO
Five Buffs reached double figures as No. 5 West Texas A&M extended their win streak to six games with a 100-79 victory over Western New Mexico on Saturday afternoon. Derrick Geddis scored a team-high 17 points as WT improved to 15-1 overall and 7-1 in Lone Star Conference play.
 
Geddis led the team in scoring for the first time in his career with 17 points going 7-of-8 from the floor while tying a career-high with three 3-pionters. After scoring only one point in the first half, Grant finished with 15 points, five rebounds and five assists. Joel Murray and Jordan Collins chipped in 14 points each as Zach Toussaint reached double figures for the first time in four games with 10.
 
A LOOK INSIDE THE NUMBERS
After eclipsing the 100-point mark for the sixth time this season against WNMU, WT ranks sixth in the nation in scoring offense with 96.3 points per game. They also ranking seventh margin as they have outscored their opponents by an average of 22.5 points.
 
Entering Thursday's contest against the Rams, WT continues to lead the nation in turnovers forced and turnover margin. They are the only team in NCAA DII men's basketball to force over 22 turnovers a game (22.38) to rank ahead of West Liberty, Bridgeport and Nova Southeastern. They also rank in the Top 10 in total steals (3rd) and steals per game (10.8). 
 
Speaking of defense, Grant ranks eighth in the nation in total steals (40) and 12th in steals per game (2.5). The sophomore is one of four players from the LSC to have recorded over 40 steals this season.
 
Murray needs only two more steals to move into a tie with Ron King for the 10th most in a career. The Rowlett native has 99 steals including the second-most in a single season in program history (67) last season as a freshman. He is also five assists short of tying Tez Dumars for 10th in career assists. 
 
Toussaint made a pair of 3-pointers against the Mustangs, marking the 15th straight game the freshman has made at least three.
 
A LOOK AT ANGELO STATE
Angelo State (10-2, 6-2 LSC) has won four straight games including a 73-71 victory over Lubbock Christian on Saturday where they overcame a five-point halftime deficit. 
 
The Rams are one of the best rebounding teams in NCAA DII men's basketball led by Andres Ibarguen. The senior ranks 22nd in the nation in offensive rebounds (3.8) while ASU owns the 22nd best rebound margin (7.3). 
 
ASU is led by the three-headed monster of Collin Turner, Jeremy Hayes and Ronald Bell, who all average over 16 points per game. Turner is shooting 48.4 percent from the floor, 42.9 percent from beyond the arc and 76.2 percent from the free throw line having reached double figures in 11 games this season including a season-high 27 against UT Permian Basin. 
 
Hayes has scored in double figures in all 12 games this season including a 23-point performance against Tarleton. Bell has appeared in 10 games including a seven start where he is shooting 52.5 percent from the floor, 36.1 percent from beyond the arc and 69.4 percent from the free throw line. He recorded a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds in their first meeting against LCU. 
 
Boone is in his fifth season as the head coach at ASU after spending two years as an assistant under Texas Tech head coach Chris Beard. 
 
INSIDE THE SERIES
WT leads the all-time series against the Rams, 46-24, including a 30-5 record in Canyon. The Buffs have won a program-best seven straight in the series including a 89-69 in Canyon on Feb. 14, 2019.
 
Since moving to the FUBC in 2002, WT is 10-2 all-time against the Rams including four straight wins. 
 
BUFFS IN THE RANKINGS
After a pair of road wins last weekend, West Texas A&M moved up to fourth in the latest National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) NCAA Division II Top 25 released on Tuesday afternoon. The Buffs improved to 15-1 overall and 7-1 in Lone Star Conference play with wins over UT Permian Basin and Western New Mexico. 
 
The Top 3 remained the same with Bellarmine ranked first receiving all 16 first-place votes followed by Northwest Missouri State and Lincoln Memorial. WT is fourth after Nova Southeastern's 78-75 setback to Lynn last week. UC San Diego is fifth with St. Edward's, Indiana (Pa.), Ferris State, Nova and Missouri Southern rounding out the Top 10. Dallas Baptist is the third LSC in the polls coming in at No. 16 following a loss to Oklahoma Christian.
 
BUFFFALO CHIPS
A win on Thursday would give the Buffs their sixth consecutive winning season under head coach Tom Brown. That would be the third-longest streak in program history. 
 
Grant ranks seventh in the nation in free throw attempts (118) and 21st in free throws made (81). Murray also ranks in the Top 100 in both categories.
 
Toussaint ranks 193rd in the nation in 3-potnt field goals per game (2.31) with Murray right behind him in 214th (2.25). The freshman also ranks 118th in 3-pointer made and 230 in 3-point attempts. 
 
Grant and Murray were both named to the Bevo Francis Top 100 Watchlist.
 
LIVE COVERAGE
The WT Athletic Communications Department will provide live stats and web stream for Thursday's game. Kent Johnson and Lucas Kinsey will be on the call for the Buffs on a free audio stream available on GoBuffsGo.com. 
 
UP NEXT
The Buffs welcomes Lubbock Christian to the FUBC for a Rivalry on the Range showdown on Saturday, Jan. 18. Tipoff is scheduled for 4 p.m.