SAN ANGELO, Texas – A career-high 26 points from
Noah Pagotto powered West Texas A&M men's basketball to an 81-61 victory over Angelo State on Thursday night. With the win, the Buffs snap a three-game losing streak and improve to 10-4 overall with a 5-3 record in Lone Star Conference play.
The Leaders
Three Buffs reached double-digit scoring on Thursday night led by a game-high 26 from Pagotto.
Ahamed Mohammed (22) and
Bob Griechen (10) also ended their day in double figures. Pagotto also hauled in a game-high eight rebounds in the win.
Narit Chotikavanic paced the team with four assists while
Jailyn Sledge recorded three steals.
How It Happened
Stiff defense by the Buffs to open the game forced three Rams turnovers and four missed shots, keeping Angelo State off the board for the first 3:57 of the game. After the Rams got on the board, Pagotto converted a layup to put WT up 7-3 at the first media timeout of the game. Angelo State grabbed its first lead of the game on back-to-back three pointers, but WT jumped back in front on its next possession. After the Rams took a 16-14 lead, the Buffs pieced together a 6-0 run ahead of the under-eight minute media timeout. The WT lead reached as high as seven before Angelo State cut the lead down to two with three minutes to play in the half. As the clock ticked down with a minute to play, a driving layup from the Rams allowed Angelo State to take a 33-31 lead into the locker room.
After halftime, the two teams exchanged points before a 9-3 run from the Buffs separated WT by four ahead of the first media timeout of the second half. A few minutes later, an 12-2 run gave the Buffs a 12-point lead. As the Buffs caught fire on the offensive side of the court, the defense held Angelo State quiet, building the lead throughout the remainder of the half. The Buffs' lead reached as high as 22 with 37 seconds to play, but a tip-in in the closing seconds set up the 20-point difference.
WT completes its road trip with a 3 p.m. game against UT Permian Basin on Saturday, Jan. 11.
Inside the Box Score
- The Buffs lead the all-time series with Angelo State, 60-26.
- Head coach Tom Brown moves to 21-5 against the Rams.
- WT shot 50.8% (30-of-59) from the field, 53.8% (14-of-26) from deep, 70.0% (7-of-10) from the charity stripe with 34 rebounds, 12 assists, seven steals, and 12 turnovers.
- Angelo State shot 44.4% (20-of-45) from the floor, 36.8% (7-of-19) from the 3-point range, 66.7% (14-of-21) at the free throw line with 23 rebounds, 10 assists, seven steals, one block, and 14 turnovers.
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