FRISCO, Texas – Sophomore Joel Murray tied a career-high with 32 points and nine assists as No. 3 West Texas A&M defeated Texas A&M-Commerce 85-72 in the Lone Star Conference Quarterfinals on Friday evening at the Comerica Center in Frisco. The win also gives the Buffs 30 wins for a program-record third straight season.
A&M-Commerce led by five, 8-3, in the opening minutes as the Buffs shot 1-of-9 from the floor. The Buffs would get going offensively as they took a 14-12 lead at 12:52 on a layup from Qua Grant. Following four straight points from the Lions to make it 16-14, WT responded with a 8-0 to retake the lead for good. Murray scored four of the first five points of the run before Zach Toussaint hit a corner three.
WT would go another run to push the led over double digits for the first time, 31-20, with 5:03 remaining before halftime on a jumper from Jordan Collins. Toussaint would make his third and final 3-pointer of the first half in the final seconds to send the Buffs into the locker room up by 12, 37-25.
The Buffs took control of the game in the opening four minutes of the second half as they outscored the Lions 14-2. Derrick Geddis scored back-to-back baskets including a dunk followed by jumpers from Jon'il Fugett and Murray. Grant would get an easy bucket following a steal before Murray connected on one of his four 3-pointers.
The Lions wouldn't go down without a fight as they cut the lead to 11, 65-54, with under seven minutes left in the contest on a free throw from Wayne Stewart. Murray would continue to carry the Buffs as he scored six of the next eight points as they pushed the lead back to 19, 73-54, at 3:43 and sealed their eighth straight win over A&M-Commerce.
Murray's 32 points were the eighth-most in a LSC Tournament game as the Rowlett native went 10-of-15 from the floor, 4-of-7 from 3-point range and a perfect 8-of-8 from the free throw line. He also tied a career-high with nine assists to go along with two steals. Grant had another efficient night with 15 points, seven rebounds, six assists and four steals. Geddis reached double figures with 13th time this season with 12 with Toussaint scoring 10 off the bench.
WT play the winner of Lubbock Christian and Angelo State on Saturday, March 7, in the LSC Semifinal. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.
