CANYON, Texas – On Thursday night, a career-high 25 points from Kieran Elliott led the No. 4-ranked West Texas A&M men's basketball team past the No. 10-ranked Angelo State Rams 88-73 in front of over 1,400 fans at the First United Bank Center. With the win, the Buffs move to the top of the Lone Star Conference standings with a record of 7-0 in league play and 13-1 overall.
 
The Leaders
Four Buffs reached double-digit scoring on Thursday highlight by Elliott's game-high 25 points. Larry Wise (12), Zach Toussaint (11), and Ryland Holt (10) also reached double figures. Elliott hauled in a game-high nine rebounds, one shy of a double-double, while Holt and Wise grabbed eight each.
 
How It Happened
After a WT bucket to open the game, a pair of three-point shots gave Angelo State an early 6-2 lead. The lead didn't last long as the Buffs rattled off an impressive 18-2 run over six and a half minutes. Holding a double-digit lead, WT continued to connect on the offensive end of the court while forcing contested shots by the Rams. In the final minutes of the first half, Angelo State and the Buffs exchanged points where WT took an 11-point advantage into the break.
 
After halftime, the Rams found an offensive rhythm to bring the Buffs' lead down to single digits. Midway through the second half, an 8-0 run by Angelo State coupled with a three-and-a-half minute scoring drought by WT brought the Buffs' lead down to just three. As the Rams looked to take the lead, another run by the Maroon & White brought the lead back to 10. As time started to run short, key stops by the WT defense along with made shots on the other end built the lead back to 10. With 2:22 left to play, the Rams found a layup to bring the game within eight, but the Buffs ended the final time on a 7-0 streak to close out the win.  
 
Inside the Box Score

• WT leads the all-time series, 54-26.
• Head coach Tom Brown moves to 18-5 against the Rams.
• WT shot 50.8% (31of-61) from the field, 40.9% (9-of-22) from deep, 81.0% from the charity stripe with 39 rebounds, 11 assists, six steals, two blocks, and 10 turnovers.
• ASU shot 43.3% (26-of-60) from the floor, 43.8% (7-of-16) from the 3-point range, 73.7% at the free throw line with 31 rebounds, nine assists, one steal, five blocks, and 11 turnovers.

 
Up Next
WT stays at home as UT Permian Basin visits Canyon. The Buffs and Falcons are scheduled to tip-off at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 13.
 
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