ODESSA, Texas – Clutch shots and free throws down the stretch from the West Texas A&M men's basketball team allowed the Buffs to escape the Falcon gym in Odessa, Texas with a 76-69 road victory. The Buffs improved to 21-1 overall and 15-0 in Lone Star Conference play while the Falcons dropped to 13-9 overall and 8-8 in league play.
 
The Leaders
Four Buffs reached double figures led by Ryland Holt's 19 points. Larry Wise (17), Zach Toussaint (14), and Ahamed Mohammed (12) also ended their night in double digits Kieran Elliott led WT with 10 rebounds while Wise led with three assists.
 
How It Happened
The Buffs and Falcons started neck-and-neck inside the Falcon Dome with WT taking a slim advantage in the opening minutes. UT Permian Basin fought back to get within one multiple times but couldn't take the lead. A pair of empty possessions from the Buffs allowed the Falcons to take a four-point lead. WT answered back by regaining the advantage midway through the first half. An 13-1 run from the Buffs over four minutes put WT up by double digits before the final media timeout of the half.  WT held onto its double-digit lead into the half, leading 35-24.
 
The Buff defense opened the half by holding UT Permian Basin scoreless for the first three minutes of the period. At the first media timeout of the second half, WT held a 14-point lead at 44-30. The Falcons eventually cut down the lead to make it a five-point game with 12 minutes to play. Over the next four minutes, WT was able to scratch away a seven-point advantage. With three minutes to play, a steal and score from Alex Matthews brought the game within a possession. The Buffs and Falcons exchanged free throws for the next two minutes before Elliott hit a clutch three with a minute to play. With UT Permian Basin forced to foul, WT converted its free throws to seal a seven-point win.
 
Inside the Box Score

• WT leads the all-time series, 21-2, 6-2 in Odessa.
• Head coach Tom Brown moves to 16-2 against the Falcons.
• WT shot 50.0% (24-of-48) from the field, 50.0% (7-of-14) from deep, 87.5% from the charity stripe with 26 rebounds, six assists, six steals, one block, and 12 turnovers.
• UTPB shot 38.5% (20-of-52) from the floor, 26.3% (5-of-19) from the 3-point range, 82.8% at the free throw line with 33 rebounds, five assists, eight steals, two blocks, and 13 turnovers.

 
Up Next
The Buffs finish their road trip in San Angelo, Texas with a matchup against Angelo State. Tip-off is slated for 3 p.m. at Stephens Arena inside the Junell Center.
 
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