CANYON, Texas – The Lady Buffs of West Texas A&M reached the century mark for the first time since 2018 on Sunday afternoon as they cruised past the MSU Denver Roadrunners, 101-69 at the First United Bank Center in Canyon.
 
The Lady Buffs started the first quarter with a robust defense, capitalizing on MSU Denver's turnovers to generate seven points from turnovers. The team showcased effective ball movement, with five assists contributing to their scoring efforts. Despite a slow start, they found their rhythm midway, with Kyla Kane and Henley West each making key jumpers to tie the game at 12-12.
 
As the quarter progressed, the Lady Buffs maintained their composure, with Randi Harding hitting a critical 3-pointer at 1:46 to take a lead. The team closed the quarter on a strong note, with Taytum Bell's offensive rebound and jumper, followed by Harding's buzzer-beating shot, extending their lead. The Lady Buffs led MSU Denver 22-16 at the end of the first quarter.
 
The Lady Buffs capitalized on early turnovers from MSU Denver to gain momentum in the second quarter. Kane's consecutive free throws at 9:21 initiated a scoring stretch, while steals by Karley Motschenbacher and Kane helped maintain defensive pressure. Taylor Haggan and Harding contributed with key layups, extending the lead further, as the home team dominated in the paint with 14 points.
 
Harding also made an impact from beyond the arc, scoring a 3-pointer at 7:25 to stretch the lead. MSU Denver responded with a few successful jump shots, but the Buffs' balanced attack, including a late 3-pointer by Chloe Callahan, kept the visitors at bay. The quarter concluded with the Lady Buffs leading 51-36, having outscored their opponents 29-20 in the frame.
 
The Lady Buffs opened the third quarter by extending their lead with a series of successful possessions, highlighted by Kane's early tip-in at 9:22. Haggan contributed significantly with multiple baskets, including a layup and a jumper, leveraging turnovers from MSU Denver to maintain momentum.
 
The team continued to build on their advantage with consistent scoring, including a jumper from West and a three-pointer by Kenadee Winfrey. The Lady Buffs' defensive resilience was evident as they limited MSU Denver's opportunities, closing the quarter strong. The home team outscored MSU Denver 22–11 in the quarter, leading 73–47 at the end of the third.
 
The final quarter saw the Lady Buffs extend their lead through sharp shooting and effective ball movement. Winfrey sparked the offense with three consecutive 3-pointers, each assisted by Presley Kane, pushing the home team's advantage further. Zoey McBroom contributed with a timely steal and three-point shooting, and Brooklyn Scurry added a layup and free throw to capitalize on fast breaks.
 
Defensively, the Lady Buffs limited MSU Denver's opportunities by controlling the boards, with Taytum Bell and Presley Kane each securing key defensive rebounds. The home team outscored the visitors 28–22 in the quarter, closing the game with a definitive 101–69 victory.
 
Harding led the team with 13 points, converting 5 of 7 field goal attempts. Haggan scored 17 points and collected six rebounds while adding two steals. Winfrey posted nine points, making 3 of 4 from beyond the arc. Motschenbacher recorded three steals and contributed five points to the team effort.
 
The Lady Buffs hit the road for South Central Regional action on Thursday night as they travel to Colorado Springs, Colorado to take on the Mountain Lions of UCCS with tipoff set for 6:00 p.m. CT at Gallogly Event Center.