#4 West Texas A&M (10-2) vs. Arlington Baptist (2-6)
Date	Saturday, December 20 | 1:00 p.m.
Location	Canyon, Texas | First United Bank Center
Follow Along	Live Stats
Watch Live	FloCollege (Pay-Per-View)
Additional Links	Game Notes

CANYON, Texas – The #4 Buffaloes close out 2025 as they return to the friendly confines of the First United Bank Center on Saturday afternoon, welcoming the Patriots of Arlington Baptist with tipoff set for 1:00 p.m. in Canyon.
 
WASHBURN REWIND
#4 West Texas A&M struggled from the floor on Wednesday afternoon as they dropped a Top-5 matchup to the #1 Washburn Ichabods, 74-48 to conclude the River City Holiday Classic at Bill Greehey Arena in San Antonio, Texas. Fontaine Williams led the way with 15 points, connecting on 6 of 11 shots and adding two steals. Zach Brown contributed eight points, including two 3-pointers, and matched Williams with two steals. Brendan Ballard added eight points while recording six rebounds and three assists. Jaylin Sledge provided defensive support with three blocks and two steals, adding four rebounds as well.
 
SCOUTING THE PATRIOTS
Arlington Baptist enters the weekend with an overall record of 2-6 following a 98-66 loss to Hardin Simmons on Monday night in Abilene. Davione Allen led the way for the Patriots in the loss, going 4-of-12 from the floor including 3-of-7 from behind the arc for 13 points to go along with three rebounds and an assist.
 
Marcel Dalcourt leads the way offensively for the Patriots as the junior guard from Breaux Bridge, Louisiana has gone 37-of-82 (45%) from the floor including 15-of-38 (39%) from deep and 5-of-7 (71%) from the free throw line to average 11.8 points per game with 54 rebounds, 15 assists, eight steals and a block.
 
Arlington Baptist participates as a member of the National Christian College Athletic Association, Southwest Region, Division II, and is a member of the Association of Christian College Athletics.
 
ABU HEAD COACH BUBBA JENNINGS
Bubba Jennings in in his fifth season at the helm of the Arlington Baptist men's basketball program, taking over the head coaching duties in May of 2021. In his first season, the Patriot Men's Basketball team won the Southwest Regional Championship and the 2022 ACCA National Championship, securing the program's 5th overall title.
 
Before coaching, Jennings had a stellar playing career at Texas Tech University from 1980 to 1985. He recorded 1,727 points, 378 assists, and 149 steals, earning four All-Southwest Conference selections. During his senior year, he led Texas Tech to a 23-8 overall record, winning the SWC Conference Championship and securing a spot in the NCCA Tournament. Jennings received numerous accolades, including SWC Player of the Year, SWC Offensive Player of the Year and All-American Honorable Mention.
 
THE SERIES
Saturday afternoon marks the first ever meeting on the hardwood between the Buffs and Patriots.
 
WT HEAD COACH TOM BROWN
Tom Brown, now in his 12th season at the helm of the West Texas A&M men's basketball program, has built the Buffs into one of the elite NCAA Division II programs in the nation.  He has guided WT to nine consecutive NCAA Tournaments including the Buffs first-ever NCAA Division II National Championship game in 2021. 
 
Brown was hired as the 17th head coach in program history on April 16, 2014. In the past 10 seasons, Coach Brown and his staff are 275-64 (.816) and an average of 27 wins a season with appearances in the Sweet 16, Elite Eight, Final Four (2) and National Title game. During his time in Canyon, Brown is 295-77 (.797) overall and 157-43 (.785) in league action. 
 
LSC PRESEASON POLL
Defending Regional Champion Dallas Baptist claimed 42 of the possible 51 first place votes for a total of 850 points to sit atop of the poll followed by St. Mary's (two first place, 724), Lubbock Christian (four first place, 720), St. Edward's (669) and West Texas A&M (two first place, 654) to round out the top five.
 
Angelo State and Eastern New Mexico tied for sixth with 592 points followed by Midwestern State (558), UT Permian Basin (468), Texas A&M International (one first place, 350), Texas A&M-Kingsville (330), Cameron (301), Oklahoma Christian (266), UT Tyler (260), Western New Mexico (193), UT Dallas (188) and Sul Ross State (88).
 
St. Mary's Damani Claxton was tabbed the league's Preseason Player of the Year. The Bronx, New York native averaged 17.1 points, 2.9 assists and 1.6 steals per game last season. He made 45 3-pointers and shot 80.4 percent from the free throw line. Claxton was named LSC Newcomer of the Year and earned first-team All-LSC honors.
 
NABC DIVISION II TOP-25 POLL
The Buffaloes jumped four spots to 4th in this week's edition of the National Basketball Coaches Association (NABC) Division II Top-25 Poll announced on Tuesday afternoon. The South Central Region is represented by West Texas A&M (4th), Lubbock Christian (7th), St. Mary's (13th), St. Edward's (16th) Black Hills State (17th) and Eastern New Mexico (RV).
 
2024-25 RECAP
The 2024-25 campaign saw WT made the NCAA National Tournament for a ninth-consecutive season where three freshmen made the LSC All-Freshman team. The Buffs also posted a 3.48 GPA in the classroom, tops in the Lone Star Conference for a second consecutive year. WT was named a recipient of the National Association of Basketball Coaches Team Academic Excellence Award as Brock Mishak and Nicholas Jett were named to the NABC Honor Court.
 
LIVE COVERAGE 
The LSC and FloSports reached a historic agreement in August of 2024 for the largest streaming rights deal in NCAA Division II history. Fans have two different subscription options: $19.99 per month or $107.88 per year ($8.99/month). Additionally, those who use an .edu email address from an LSC member institution will be able to sign up at a discounted subscription price of $9.99 per month or $71.88 per year ($5.99/month).