CANYON, Texas – West Texas A&M men's basketball moved to 2-0 on the season with a 77-70 victory over the UNC Pembroke Braves in front of over 1,200 fans at the First United Bank Center on Sunday night.
 
The Leaders
Three Buffs reached double-digit scoring on Sunday night led by a career-high 32 from Ahamed Mohammed. Isaac Ayoubi (14) and Noah Pagotto also ended their night in double figures. Mohammed hauled in a career and game-high 11 rebounds on the night while dishing out three assists.
 
How It Happened
UNC Pembroke grabbed an early lead, taking a three-point advantage into the first media timeout of the game. With 13:08 left in the first half, a three from Bob Griechen gave the Buffs a lead they wouldn't relinquish. A jumper from Amir McMillian with 11:38 to play in the half sparked an 11-0 run to stretch WT's lead to 13. UNC Pembroke eventually brought the lead down to three with four and a half to play in the opening half, but eight free throws put the lead back to double digits. The Braves' Elijah Cobb netted a hook shot as the horn sounded to cut the lead down to seven and send the teams into halftime.
 
Coming out of halftime, UNC Pembroke and WT exchanged points, keeping the Braves in the game. An Ayoubi bucket with 16 minutes to play started another run for the Buffs, outscoring UNC Pembroke 10-0 over a three-minute span and extending the lead to 18. An 8-0 run from UNC Pembroke stopped the WT momentum with 10 minutes to play. With four minutes to play, the Braves brought the game within five, opening the door for a late comeback. Over the game's next minutes, the teams exchanged blows before free throws from Ayoubi and Mohammed closed out the game.
 
WT remains at home for a Friday, Nov. 8 matchup against Oklahoma Panhandle State. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. inside the First United Bank Center.
 
Inside the Box Score

• The Buffs lead the all-time series with UNC Pembroke, 1-0.
• Head coach Tom Brown moves to 1-0 against the Braves.
• WT shot 37.1% (23-of-62) from the field, 26.7% (6-of-33) from deep, 73.5% from the charity stripe with 38 rebounds, eight assists, four steals, three blocks, and four turnovers.
• UNC Pembroke shot 42.4% (27-of-64) from the floor, 28.6% (6-of-21) from the 3-point range, 58.8% at the free throw line with 49 rebounds, 11 assists, one steal, one block, and 16 turnovers.

 
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