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FRISCO, Texas – No. 3 West Texas A&M face fourth-seeded Angelo State in the Lone Star Conference Semifinals on Saturday, March 7, at the Comerica Center in Frisco. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m.
 
The game will be available on-line through the LSC Digital Network and NexStar. An audio broadcast will also be available on GoBuffsGo.com with Kent Johnson and Lucas Kinsey on the call. 
 
A LOOK BACK AT TEXAS A&M-COMMERCE
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. 
 
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. Qua Grant had another efficient night with 15 points, seven rebounds, six assists and four steals. Derrick Geddis reached double figures with 13th time this season with 12 with Zach Toussaint scoring 10 off the bench.
 
A LOOK AT THE NUMBERS
The Buffs pushed the longest win streak in program history to 21 games on Friday night with their win over Texas A&M-Commerce. During the streak, WT has averaged 87.3 points per game including 17.6 scoring margin. They are shooting 46.9 from the floor, 37.6 from 3-point range and 68.1 percent from the charity stripe.
 
Grant is averaging 19.7 points and 8.2 rebounds per game during the streak with Murray scoring 19.4 points and 5.0 assists. They are both shooting over 45 percent from the floor and 33 percent from beyond the arc. 
 
With his 15 points on Friday, Grant passed Mike Mitchell (1967-69) into ninth on the all-time scoring list as the sophomore has 1,200 career points in 69 games. His 632 points so far this season are the fifth-most in program history, two shy of passing Buff great David Chavlovich into fourth. 
 
Grant doesn't just lead the team in scoring and rebounding but is two steals breaking the program record for steals in a single season. His 75 steals in 31 games make him one of two players (David Rhone) to record 70 or more steals in a single season. 
 
Following his second career 32-point game, Murray now has 616 points on the season tying him for the sixth-most in a single season with Simmie Hill (1968-69). He becomes the seventh different Buff and fourth under Tom Brown to score over 600 points in a single season. 
 
Murray has a career-high 141 assists this season and 280 for his career. His 20 assists shy of becoming the sixth player in program history with 300 or more assists. He also ranks third in career steals with 131, three shy of passing David Rhone (2001-03) for second.
 
A LOOK AT ANGELO STATE
Angelo State (20-7, 15-7 LSC) qualified for Saturday's semifinal following a double overtime victory over Lubbock Christian on Friday. The Rams led by as much as 25 in the second half before advancing to the second day of the conference tournament for the second straight year.
 
Collin Turner, a senior from Poolsville, Md., scored a LSC record 47 record in the win over LCU going 12-of-23 from the floor and 21-of-25 from the free throw line. He is averaging a team-high 18.0 points per contest shooting 44.1 percent from the floor, 37.3 percent from 3-point range and 80.3 percent from the free throw line. Prior to Friday's outburst, he scored a then-career-high 44 points against Texas A&M-Kingsville on Feb. 20. 
 
Andres Ibarguen is not only the top rebounder on the team but also in the conference at 10.1 boards per contest. He has recorded double digit rebounds in six of his last eight games including a 22-rebound performance in their last meeting against WT. 
 
The Rams are coached by Cinco Boone, who is 96-43 during his five years in San Angelo Last season, he led the Rams to 21 -9 record and appearance in the NCAA DII South Central Regional Tournament where they came close to upsetting second-seeded St. Edward's. 
 
A LOOK AT THEIR LAST MEETING
Murray and Fugett combined for 44 points as the Buffs turned a five-point halftime lead into a 14-point victory against the Rams on Feb. 8 at the Junell Center in San Angelo. 
 
INSIDE THE SERIES
Saturday's game will be the 73rd all-time meeting between the two programs with WT holding a 48-24 advantage. The Buffs have won nine straight games dating back to January 2016.
 
Saturday's game will also be their third meeting in the LSC tournament and first at a neutral site. The Buffs won their last postseason meeting, 75-73, on March 3, 2001. 
 
BUFFALO CHIPS
Toussaint has now scored in double figures in 11 games including two straight. The freshman was a key figure in the Buffs victory on Friday scoring nine of his 10 points in the first half. He has also made 3 or more 3-pointers 12 games.
 
Murray had another strong performance for the Buffs where he tied a career-high in points and assists. It was the second time in his career that he went over 30 points and fourth time he dished out nine assists. 
 
The Buffs moved to 6-0 all-time at the Frisco Center with their win over Texas A&M-Commerce. 
 
WT entered the LSC Championship ranked second in NCAA DII men's basketball in turnovers forced and turnover margin. They also rank in the Top 10 in win percentage, scoring offense, scoring margin, 3-point field goals per game, 3-point attempts, 3-pointers made, 3-point attempts and steals.
 
BUFFS IN THE NATIONAL RANKINGS
West Texas A&M was ranked third in the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) NCAA Division II Top 25 for the sixth straight week on Tuesday. 
 
Northwest Missouri State continues to rank first in the nation with 16 first-votes and 400 points followed by Lincoln Memorial in second and WT in third. UC San Diego remained in fourth followed by Florida Southern, Azusa Pacific and Indiana (Pa.). Valdosta State, St. Edward's and Ferris State all moved up one spot to round out the Top 10. Dixie State jumped two spots to 23rd after winning a share of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Regular Season Championship. 
 
REGIONAL RANKINGS
No. 3 West Texas A&M is ranked first in the third edition of the NCAA Division II South Central Regional Rankings, released on Wednesday afternoon by the NCAA offices. 
 
The Buffs continue to rank first in the regional rankings with St. Edward's in second and Dixie State in third. Black Hills State moved up two spots to fourth with Colorado School of Mines in fifth and Dallas Baptist in sixth. Texas A&M-Kingsville, Angelo State, Lubbock Christian and Colorado Mesa round out the Top 10.
 
GRANT NAMED PLAYER OF THE YEAR, BROWN TABBED COACH OF THE YEAR
West Texas A&M's Qua Grant was named the Lone Star Conference Player of the Year while Tom Brown was named the Coach of the Year, the league announced on Wednesday evening. Grant becomes the sixth Buff to earn Player of the Year honors with Brown being tabbed the Coach of the Year for the third straight year. 
 
Grant and Joel Murray also earned First Team All-LSC and All-Defensive honors with Derrick Geddis (Third Team) and Jon'il Fugett (Honorable Mention) recognition. Zach Toussaint was one of five players to be named to the All-Freshman Team.
 
LIVE COVERAGE
The Lone Star Conference will provide live stats and broadcasts for Saturday's semifinal match up. 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 winner of Saturday's semifinal will face the winner of St. Edward's and Texas A&M-Kingsville on Sunday, March 8, at 3:30 p.m.