CANYON, Texas – West Texas A&M men's basketball continued its postseason push on Saturday afternoon with an 83-58 victory over the Western New Mexico Mustangs. The Buffs improve to 11-8 in Lone Star Conference play and 16-9 overall on the season.
 
The Leaders
Five Buffs reached double-digit scoring on Saturday afternoon led by 14 from both Ahamed Mohammed and Kemper Jones. Narit Chotikavanic (13), Jailyn Sledge (11), and Bob Griechen (11) also ended their day in double figures. Griechen and Noah Pagotto recorded nine rebounds each in the win. Chotikavanic and Mohammed dished out five assists each while Sledge recorded two blocks and two steals.
 
How It Happened
WT jumped out in front with a six-point advantage before Western New Mexico cut the lead in half ahead of the first media timeout of the game. Although the Mustangs attempted to take the lead, the Buffs found an answer to each WNMU basket, retaining the lead. With 13:28 to play in the half, a Sledge three started an 11-2 run where WT built a double-digit lead. With six minutes to play in the half, a three from the Mustangs brought the Buffs' lead down to six, but a Griechen three followed by a pair of free throws from Mohammed restored the double-digit lead. WT extended their lead to 21 with just under two minutes to play as Mohammed went on a 5-0 run by himself. With eight seconds to play in the first a pair of free throws from Matthew Okoye sent the teams into the break with the Buffs ahead, 45-27.
 
Scoring proved to be hard to come by to open the second half, but WT outscored WNMU 7-2 in the first four and a half minutes of the period. Over the next few minutes, the Buffs and Mustangs exchanged points as the WT lead never dipped below 20. The Mustangs cut the lead down to 20, but the Buffs responded with a 7-0 run to extend the lead back to 27. Down the stretch, WT coasted to a crucial victory.
 
The Buffs return to the First United Bank Center for their final home stand of the regular season. WT takes on St. Mary's at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 20.
 
Inside the Box Score

• The Buffs lead the all-time series with Western New Mexico, 22-4.
• Head coach Tom Brown moves to 17-0 against the Mustangs.
• WT shot 42.9% (30-of-70) from the field, 41.9% (13-of-23) from deep, 76.9% (10-of-13) from the charity stripe with 43 rebounds, 16 assists, six steals, two blocks, and 11 turnovers.
• Western New Mexico shot 33.3% (20-of-60) from the floor, 28.6% (4-of-14) from the 3-point range, 77.8% (14-of-18) at the free throw line with 33 rebounds, nine assists, six steals, three blocks, and 13 turnovers.

 
FOLLOW THE BUFFS
Fans can follow and stay up to date on all the Buff action on online and on social media.  Follow the Buffs on X (@WTAMU_MBB), Instagram (@wtamu_MBB), and Facebook (/WTAMUMBB).