West Texas A&M (14-6, 6-4) vs. UT Tyler (9-7, 3-7)
Date	Thursday, January 29 | 7:30 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 Buffaloes of West Texas A&M return to the First United Bank Center next Thursday night as they host the UT Tyler Patriots with tipoff set for 7:30 p.m. during Lone Star Conference action in Canyon, Texas.
 
EASTERN NEW MEXICO REWIND
The Buffaloes dropped a 97-89 Lone Star Conference rivalry road game to the #19 Eastern New Mexico Greyhounds on Thursday night at Steve Loy Family Foundation Arena in Portales, New Mexico. James Parlow Jr. led the team with 20 points, converting all eight of his free throws and recording two steals. Brock Mishak scored 19 points, including three 3-pointers, and collected five rebounds. Kemper Jones added 15 points with two 3-pointers and secured five rebounds. Zach Brown contributed nine points, hitting three 3-pointers and collecting nine rebounds.
 
SCOUTING THE PATRIOTS
UT Tyler enters the week with an overall record of 9-7 with a 3-7 mark in Lone Star Conference action. The Patriots are 4-4 away from the Herrington Patriot Center so far this season as they have claimed road wins at Regis, Colorado School of Mines, UT Permian Basin and St. Mary's.
 
Last Thursday night saw the Patriots drop a 70-66 decision to the then #5 Chaps of Lubbock Christian. UTT shot 43.5% (27-of-62) from the floor including 34.8% (8-of-23) from behind the arc in the loss. Sean Emfinger led the way for the Patriots with 20 points to go along with three boards and three assists.
 
Sam Phipps leads the way offensively for the Patriots as the senior forward from Wellsville, Utah has gone 66-of-102 (64.7%) from the floor including 21-of-48 (43.8%) from the free throw line to average 9.6 points per game to go along with 125 rebounds (44 offensive, 81 defensive), 29 assists, 24 steals and 23 blocks. Phipps has reached double-figures in eight games this season, scoring a season-best 18 points against Colorado School of Mines and Western New Mexico.
 
UTT HEAD COACH TIM MOSER
Tim Moser is in his third season at the helm of the UT Tyler men's basketball program, holding an overall record of 20-52 during his time in East Texas. Moser is a 20-year veteran on the sidelines with men's coaching stops at Eastern Wyoming College and Otero Junior College along with women's coaching stints at Alaska-Anchorage and Otero JC.
 
He's a combined 536-238 in his head coaching career and has won 13 conference championships en route to 12 conference or regional coach of the year accolades. Combined with his totals as an assistant coach, Moser has coached 20 conference championship teams during his storied career.
 
THE SERIES
Thursday night marks the sixth all-time meeting on the hardwood between the Buffs and Patriots. West Texas A&M is a perfect 5-0 in the series that dates back to 2020. The Patriots are making their third trip to the First United Bank Center.
 
Last year's meeting came on January 25th as the Buffs claimed a 79-71 victory in East Texas. The Buffs shot 46% (23-of-50) from the floor as WT forced 17 Patriot turnovers. Noah Pagotta led the way going 9-of-16 from the field with a game-high 26 points while Narit Chotikavanic (18) and Ahamed Mohammed (16) also reached double-figures. 
 
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 279-68 (.804) 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 299-81 (.787) overall and 160-47 (.773) 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).
 
NABC DIVISION II TOP-25 POLL
The Buffaloes are receiving votes 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 Lubbock Christian (11th), Eastern New Mexico (19th), Black Hills State (21st), St. Edward's (25th), Dallas Baptist ((RV), West Texas A&M (RV) and St. Mary's (RV).
 
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).
 
LONE STAR CONFERENCE NEWS & NOTES
Due to the winter storm sweeping across the league, just 10 Lone Star Conference men's basketball games were played last week. The games not played will all be rescheduled.
 
DBU (15-5 overall) remains in first place in the league standings at 9-1. No. 19 Eastern New Mexico (15-3) and No. 11 Lubbock Christian (17-3) are tied for second at 8-2. Western New Mexico (14-4) is alone in fourth place at 8-3.
 
WNMU has won a league-high four games in a row, while ENMU has prevailed in three consecutive games. DBU, Texas A&M-Kingsville and UT Permian Basin have won back-to-back games.
 
ENMU has not lost away from home, going 10-0. West Texas A&M is a perfect 10-0 at home.
 
In non-conference play, LSC teams have gone 40-24 against Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference teams.