CANYON, Texas – After coming back from a 23-point deficit in the final nine minutes, the No. 24 West Texas A&M Buffs late comeback fell short as the Buffs fell to No. 3 Lubbock Christian, 85-76, on Thursday night at the First United Bank Center.  With the loss the Buffs fall to 20-6 (6-5 LSC) while the Chaps improve to 22-1 (10-1 LSC) taking the regular-season series 2-0.
 
The Buffs went 26-of-71 (36.6%) from the field including 10-of-37 (27.0%) from the three and 14-of-18 (77.8%) from the charity stripe to go along with 31 rebounds (13 offensive, 18 defensive), 13 assists, 12 steals and three blocks.  Four Buffs reached double figures led by sophomore Larry Wise with 19 followed by Julius Brown (18), Kavon Booker (14) and Zach Toussaint (11) while Booker grabbed seven rebounds. 
 
After back-and-forth action, LCU broke away with a six-point lead with a three from Parker Hicks but the Buffs chipped away at the Chaps lead when Larry Wise knocked down two free throws to bring the score within one.  With a minute left in the half, Julius Brown lobbed a pass over to Hayden Blankley as the Sydney, Australia native dropped a 3-pointer but was immediately responded with five consecutive points for LCU to lead 44-35 at the half. 
 
The Chaps jumped out to a 20-point plus lead in the second half as Lloyd Daniels' free throws extended LCU's lead to 23, 60-46, its largest of the night.  WT brought the score back within single digits as Brown recorded the fastbreak 3-pointer but the Chaps held off the run to take the conference victory. 
 
The Chaps went 30-of-48 (62.5%) from the floor including 6-of-13 (46.2%) from deep and 19-of-24 (79.2%) from the free throw line with 37 rebounds, 13 assists, three blocks and two steals.  LCU was led offensively by Hicks' double-double with 29 points and 11 rebounds.  Lyoyd Daniels scored 23 points followed by Aamaer Muhammad (14) and Rowan Mackenzie (11) in double-figures while Stevenson grabbed eight rebounds.
 
 WT will return to the First United Bank Center on Saturday, Feb. 12, as the Buffs face Eastern New Mexico.  Tipoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. in Canyon, Texas.  The Buffs and Greyhounds met earlier this season as WT claimed the non-conference contest, 81-63, in Portales, N.M.