SAN ANGELO, Texas – A strong second half erased a 10-point halftime deficit and forced overtime where the West Texas A&M men's basketball team outlasted the Rams of Angelo State, 94-90. The Buffs improve to 22-1 overall and 16-0 in Lone Star Conference play.
 
The Leaders
Four Buffs reached double figures led by Ahamed Mohammed's game-high 25 points. Kieran Elliott (21), Ryland Holt (15), and Zach Toussaint (15) also ended their day in double digits. Elliott and Holt also recorded nine rebounds, one shy of a double-double, while Larry Wise registered four assists.  
 
How It Happened
The Rams took the lead on the game's opening bucket before the Buffs put up points of their own. Over the next minutes, the battle went back-and-forth, but Angelo State still controlled the lead. A 7-0 run by the Rams pushed the advantage to nine before another streak pushed it to double digits. WT attempted to cut into the lead but saw multiple attempts stall by the Angelo State defense.
 
After trailing by 11 at halftime, the Buffs brought the lead back down to double digits. With 15:11 left in the second half, Mohammed sank a jumper to put WT down by a possession. Following the bucket, the Rams rattled off another 6-0 run to extend the advantage. After the under-12 media timeout, four-straight free throws brought the game back within three. The Rams went back to work, building their lead on their home court. WT responded by tying the game on a Mohammed three with 4:36 left to play, but Angelo State responded with a three of its own to regain the lead. The Buffs took a momentary lead before a 5-0 run from Angelo State put the Rams up three. A Toussaint layup brought the game back within one but missed free throws forced WT to foul down the stretch. With 14 seconds to play, two crucial free throws from Holt tied the game. Angelo State called timeout but couldn't make the buzzer-beater.
 
In overtime, the Buffs scored the first four points of the extra time but a three from the Rams slowed the momentum. A free throw from Holt and layup from Toussaint restored the four-point lead. A layup from Angelo State made things interesting, but Toussaint iced the game with a bucket, leaving just 15 seconds left on the clock.
 
Inside the Box Score

• WT leads the all-time series, 55-26, 19-20 in San Angelo.
• Head coach Tom Brown moves to 19-5 against the Rams.
• WT shot 46.9% (30-of-64) from the field, 31.3% (5-of-16) from deep, 69.0% from the charity stripe with 39 rebounds, eight assists, five steals, three blocks, and eight turnovers.
• ASU shot 50.9% (28-of-55) from the floor, 42.1% (8-of-19) from the 3-point range, 81.3% at the free throw line with 33 rebounds, 14 assists, four steals, three blocks, and 12 turnovers.

 
Up Next
WT returns to the First United Bank Center on Thursday, Feb. 15 for a rivalry matchup with Eastern New Mexico at 7:30 p.m. Thursday's games will serve as Maroon Madness where fans are encouraged to wear maroon to the games.
 
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