LUBBOCK, Texas – West Texas A&M men's basketball couldn't keep up with the Chaps of Lubbock on Thursday night as the Buffs fell, 68-53. The loss drops WT to 13-7 overall and 8-6 in conference action.
 
The Leaders
Three Buffs reached double-digit scoring on Thursday night led by a team-high 12 from Narit Chotikavanic. Amir McMillian (11) and Jailyn Sledge (10) also ended their day in double figures. Sledge recorded his fifth collegiate double-double, grabbing 10 rebounds with a team-leading three blocks.
 
How It Happened
A quick pull-up jumper from Bob Griechen to start the game, but the Chaps responded with seven unanswered points before a three from Sledge broke the streak. After the under-16 minute media timeout, the Buffs ripped off an 8-0 run to retake the advantage. WT and LCU continued to exchange blows over the next minutes. A three from the Chaps gave LCU a 24-21 lead and started an 11-2 run, building a nine-point lead. The Buffs cut the lead down to 32-27 with a chance to bring the lead down more before half but couldn't get points on their final possession of the half.
 
A Sledge free throw followed by a Chaps' three proved to be the only scoring for three minutes of game time in the second half. LCU extended its lead to double digits, but a Mackenzie Morgan layup sent the game to the first media timeout of the half with a 40-32 score in favor of the Chaps. LCU's lead hovered around the 10-point mark until a 7-2 streak put the Chaps up 13 with eight and a half to play. With 3:06 to play, a pair of Chotikavanic free throws gave the Buffs life, cutting the lead down to eight. LCU quickly restored its double-digit, closing out the game in the final minutes.
 
The Buffs close out their four-game road stretch at Midwestern State on Saturday, Feb. 2 with a 3 p.m. tip.
 
Inside the Box Score

• The Buffs lead the all-time series with Lubbock Christian, 26-12.
• Head coach Tom Brown moves to 11-10 against the Chaps.
• WT shot 35.2% (19-of-54) from the field, 11.8% (2-of-17) from deep, 68.4% (13-of-19) from the charity stripe with 31 rebounds, five assists, five steals, three blocks, and seven turnovers.
• Lubbock Christian shot 44.9% (22-of-49) from the floor, 40.9% (9-of-22) from the 3-point range, 88.2% (15-of-17) at the free throw line with 35 rebounds, 11 assists, three steals, one block, and 12 turnovers.

 
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