LAS VEGAS – In a battle of top-10 teams, the No. 5-ranked West Texas A&M men's basketball team defeated the No.8-ranked Mavericks of Colorado Mesa 81-66 at the High Desert Classic in Las Vegas. With the win, the Buffs improve to 9-1 overall on the year with a 4-0 record in Lone Star Conference play while the Mavericks slide to 8-2 overall.
 
The Leaders
Four Buffs reached double-digit scoring led by Larry Wise's team-high 18. Zach Toussaint (15), Kieran Elliott (10), and Ahamed Mohammed (10) also reached double figures. Elliott led the team with eight rebounds followed by Wise's seven. Ryland Holt totaled four blocks and two steals in the win.
 
How It Happened
The Buffs jumped out to an early 6-0 lead before the Mavericks scored their first bucket of the afternoon. At the first media timeout of the game, WT held on to a five-point advantage. The Buffs eventually extended their lead to 14 points at the midway point of the first half. On the other end of the court, the WT defense forced multiple turnovers and contested shots. Colorado Mesa cut into the lead before the under-five minute media timeout, but the Buffs still sat in the driver's seat with an eight-point lead. Over the closing minutes of the opening half, WT and Colorado Mesa exchanged baskets, but the Buffs remained in front by 11 going into halftime.
 
WT started the second half in similar fashion to the first, sinking shots and playing stiff defense. As the Buffs started to extend their lead, WT held Colorado Mesa scoreless for nearly three and a half minutes, scoring five points in same time and extending the lead to 19 points. The Buffs continued to keep the game out of reach from the Mavericks throughout the second half despite multiple chances from Colorado Mesa to get back into the game.
 
Inside the Box Score

• WT leads the all-time series, 3-0.
• Head coach Tom Brown moves to 2-0 against the Mavericks.
• WT shot 41.9% (26-of-62) from the field, 38.1% (8-of-21) from deep, 72.4% from the charity stripe with 44 rebounds, 12 assists, seven steals, four blocks, and 15 turnovers.
• CMU shot 33.8% (22-of-65) from the floor, 11.4% (4-of-35) from the 3-point range, 81.8% at the free throw line with 43 rebounds, 13 assists, seven steals, six blocks and 18 turnovers.

 
Up Next
WT finishes the High Desert Classic tomorrow afternoon as the Buffs take on Rogers State at 2 p.m. Central at Desert Oasis High School.
 
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