CANYON, Texas – The Lady Buffs of West Texas A&M used a 12-point run and lock down defense in the third quarter to overcome a three-point halftime deficit in a 70-53 win over the South Dakota Mines Hardrockers during the South Central Regional Challenge at the First United Bank Center in Canyon on Friday afternoon.
 
Karley Motschenbacher led the way for the Lady Buffs as the sophomore went 6-of-7 from the floor including 2-of-3 from the free throw line for a team-high 15 points to go along with eight rebounds to finish just shy of a double-double. Jayla Burgess chipped in 12 points with six boards while Azia Himeur was impressive in her home debut as the freshman went 3-of-6 off the bench including 1-of-1 from deep to finish with nine points and two steals.
 
The Lady Buffs finished the game 26-of-66 (39.4%) from the field including 6-of-21 (28.6%) from behind the arc and 12-of-20 (60%) from the charity stripe with 37 rebounds (11 offensive, 26 defensive), 13 assists, nine turnovers, seven blocks and 12 steals in the win.
 
Piper Bauer led the way for the Hardrockers as the freshman went 9-of-19 from the floor including 6-of-12 from deep to finish with a game-high 24 points with 22 of those coming in the first half. South Dakota Mines went 21-of-60 (35%) from the field including 8-of-22 (36.4%) from deep and 3-of-6 (50%) from the free throw line with 46 rebounds, 14 assists, 24 turnovers, two blocks and seven steals.
 
HALFTIME REPORT
The Lady Buff struggled from the floor in the first half as they trailed 29-26 heading into the locker room. WT went 10-of-34 (29.4%) from the floor including 1-of-9 (11.1%) from deep and 5-of-9 (55.6%) from the free throw line with 20 rebounds (seven offensive, 13 defensive), six assists, three turnovers, three blocks and four steals. SDM went 10-of-32 (31.3%) from the field including 6-of-12 (50%) from behind the arc and 3-of-6 (50%) from the stripe with 28 rebounds, eight assists, eight turnovers, one block and three steals.
 
COMING UP NEXT
The Lady Buffs conclude the South Central Regional Challenge tomorrow night as they face off with the Colorado Mesa Mavericks with tipoff set for 7:30 p.m. in Canyon.