CANYON, Texas – In front of over 3,500 fans inside the First United Bank Center, the top-ranked West Texas A&M men's basketball team defeated the No. 4-ranked Patriots of Dallas Baptist 93-79 on Thursday night. With the win, the Buffs improve to 17-1 overall and 11-0 in Lone Star Conference play.
 
The Leaders
Four Buffs reached double-digit scoring on Thursday night highlighted by Larry Wise's game-high 23 points. Ahamed Mohammed (15), Brock Mishak (14), and Zach Toussaint (13) also finished their afternoon in double figures. Ryland Holt hauled in a team-high 11 rebounds and four assists while Wise followed with eight.
 
How It Happened
Action started hot in the First United Bank Center as DBU took the opening possession to the bucket. Toussaint quickly answered, nailing a three from deep to ignite the home crowd. After the Patriots took a momentary lead, the Buffs used a 10-3 run to take a six-point lead. DBU cut the lead back down to two, but WT answered once again with an 11-2 streak to take a double-digit lead. Despite multiple attempts by the Patriots to cut the lead down, the Buffs went into halftime with a 45-36 lead.
 
After halftime, DBU started the period on an 11-6 run to bring the game within reach. Feeling the pressure of the crowd, the Patriots eventually brought the contest within two with 15:18 remaining in the game. A layup by Wise followed by a Holt three reignited the home crowd and stifling the Patriots. The five points began a 19-2 run over four minutes to give the Buffs a 20-point lead and knock DBU off balance. After the deep run, the Buffs controlled the momentum with the Buff Nation faithful behind them. From that point on, WT controlled the pace. Before the end of the game, the Patriots eventually brought the lead down to 14 with the score ending, 93-79.
 
Inside the Box Score

• WT leads the all-time series, 9-1, 6-1 in Canyon.
• Head coach Tom Brown moves to 7-1 against the Patriots.
• WT shot 56.5% (33-of-58) from the field, 40.0% (8-of-20) from deep, 82.6% from the charity stripe with 38 rebounds, 16 assists, eight steals, four blocks, and 18 turnovers.
• DBU shot 47.7% (31-of-65) from the floor, 27.3% (6-of-22) from the 3-point range, 55.0% at the free throw line with 28 rebounds, 11 assists, 10 steals, and 14 turnovers.

 
Up Next
WT prepares for another home matchup with UT Tyler on Saturday, Jan. 28 at 3 p.m.
 
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