CANYON, Texas – For the sixth consecutive season, the No. 3 Buffaloes of West Texas A&M open the season 3-0 after claiming the 2021 D2CCA Tipoff Classic Championship title.  The Buffs stay undefeated against the Daemen Wildcats after recording a 69-66 victory in the tournament finale with three Buffs earning All-Tournament honors.
 
Julius Brown was named the tournament MVP as the Westerville, Ohio product compiled 50 points through three games with 11 rebounds, five steals and four assists.  Larry Wise and Zach Toussaint joined Brown on the all-tournament selections combining for 87 points. 
 
Three different Buffs scored in the opening 15 minutes as they fell behind 8-7 at the first media timeout until Addison Wallace hit a jumper in the paint to give WT the lead.  Two more lead changes put the Wildcats on top but Kavon Booker followed up at the basket with a dunk to tie it at 18.  WT used a 11-2 run over the next four minutes to make it 29-20 in favor of the Buffs.  Wallace hit a shot from the deep in the final minute before halftime to give the WT a 38-29 lead.    
 
The Wildcats went on a hot streak in the second half with a 16-3 run to lead 50-46 at 12:04.  A shot beyond the arc by Wise ended the Buffs drought before freshman Austin Shelley drained his first collegiate three to push the Buffs ahead by two for the final lead change of the game.  
 
A layup by Daemen's Sean Fasoyiro brought the score within one but was immediately responded with another hammer from Booker to extend the Buffs lead. Brown and Wise each hit two fastbreak jumpers to push ahead, 67-63 at 1:37. The Wildcat's Andrew Mason hit a three on the next possession to bring the score within one with :22 left on the clock until three straight points from Toussaint sealed the Buffs victory.
 
Four Buffs recorded double-figure scoring led by Wise with a team-high 15 followed by Brown (14), Booker (11) and Wallace (11).  Brown and Hayden Blankley each brought down seven rebounds for WT while Dalin Williams led with two blocks. 
 
West Texas A&M returns to the court on November 12 when they host Western Colorado for the South Central Regional Challenge.  The Mountaineers finished 6-12 last season with a 6-11 mark in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.  
 
ALL TOURNAMENT TEAM
Julius Brown (West Texas A&M) – MVP 
Zach Toussaint (West Texas A&M)
Larry Wise (West Texas A&M)
Sean Fasoyrio (Daemen)
Andrew Sischo (Daemen)
Jacob Beeninga (MSU Moorhead)
Lorenzo McGhee (MSU Moorhead)
Bryce Irsfeld (MSU Moorhead)
Mac Riniker (Colorado Mesa)
Owen Koonce (Colorado Mesa)