AUSTIN, Texas – The West Texas A&M men's basketball suffered its first loss in over three months as the Buffs fell short against the Hilltoppers of St. Edward's, 88-87. After the completion of Saturday's contests, the Buffs (25-2, 19-1 LSC) clinched the Lone Star Conference Regular Season Championship as Dallas Baptist lost its game.
 
The Leaders
Four Buffs reached double-digit scoring on Saturday afternoon highlighted by a game-high 23 from Ryland Holt. Kieran Elliott and Larry Wise scored 16 each followed by Ahamed Mohammed with 13 points. Holt recorded a double-double as the senior hauled in 11 rebounds while Wise dished out four assists.
 
How It Happened
The high-tempo first half started even as each team exchanged points over the first four and a half minutes. The tie game didn't last long as St. Edward's rattled off a long 10-0 run over two and a half minutes. Despite trying to cut into the lead, the Buffs couldn't break down the Hilltopper lead as St. Edward's extended its lead to 16 with 4:53 to play in the first half. Facing the deficit, the Buffs posted a 6-0 streak of their own to bring the lead back down to single digits. The Hilltoppers extended their lead before the midway point to take a 12-point advantage into halftime.
 
In the second half, the Buffs brought the deficit down to single digits in the opening minutes. With 15 minutes to play, a 9-2 run positioned WT into striking distance. After the Buffs brought the game within three, the two teams exchanged threes as the Hilltopper lead floated between six and three. A quick 4-0 run from WT brought the game back within two but a St. Edward's bucket pushed the lead back to four. With eight and a half minutes to play, the Buffs rattled off a 6-0 run to take the lead for the first time since the first half. WT held on to the lead for a few minutes before St. Edward's came back to take the lead once again. The Buffs brought the game back within one as Wise converted a layup with 63 seconds to play.
 
As the clock went under 40 seconds to play, a pair of Wise free throws put WT up one. On the next possession, the Hilltoppers missed a jumper, but St. Edward's grabbed the rebound and put in the go-ahead bucket. Needing a bucket to retake the lead, the Buffs couldn't convert. After WT fouled to keep the game close, the Hilltoppers missed the front end of the one-and-one, giving the Buffs life for a win. With time winding down, a last-second heave went wide as the Buffs saw their winning streak end.
 
Inside the Box Score

• WT leads the all-time series, 7-3, 1-2 in Austin.
• Head coach Tom Brown moves to 5-2 against the Hilltoppers.
• WT shot 48.1% (26-of-54) from the field, 39.1% (9-of-23) from deep, 89.7% from the charity stripe with 31 rebounds, nine assists, two steals, two blocks, and nine turnovers.
• SEU shot 50.0% (31-of-62) from the floor, 37.5% (9-of-24) from the 3-point range, 73.9% at the free throw line with 27 rebounds, 17 assists, four steals, five blocks, and five turnovers.

 
Up Next
The Buffs face rival Lubbock Christian at the Rip Griffin Center in Lubbock on Thursday, Feb. 29 at 7:30 p.m.
 
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