CANYON, TEXAS – West Texas A&M Men's Basketball (4-0, 0-0 LSC) head back on the road this weekend as they compete in the Bison Conference Challenge. WT will take on Chadron State on Friday, November 13 before facing No. 12 Oklahoma Baptist on Saturday, November 14. Friday's game will tipoff at 5:30 p.m. while Saturday's game will be played at 7:30 p.m.  
 
Follow the Buffs
Both games will be streamed live on the GAC Network (registration required). Live Stats will be provided by Oklahoma Baptist for both games.
 
Last Time Out
West Texas A&M played their first game at the First United Bank Center on Monday as they took on Oklahoma Panhandle State.
 
Buffs Defense Stifles Aggies in 59-37 Home Opening Win- November 9, 2026
West Texas A&M opened the game on a 9-4 with KJ Thomas accounting for five of those points. After their first bucket of the game at 17:53, Oklahoma Panhandle State went six minutes without scoring a field goal. The Buffs defense was able to contest shots and muck up their offense. While WT's defense was tight, the offense could not find a consistent rhythm initially as they led 11-10 at the 10:47 mark of the first half. West Texas A&M would create separation with an 11-2 run where Thomas drained a pair of threes while Joel Robinson also added a triple. The Buffaloes had a strong close to the half with a 7-1 run where they had two breakaway layups off steals as well as a triple Kemper Jones. WT would lead 29-15 at halftime as they held OPSU to 16.7% from the field.
 
Moving into the second half, the defense stayed persistent as they made halfcourt offense difficult for the Aggies while shutting down any opportunities for transition offense. The Buffaloes offense continued to be powered by the long ball as three-pointers by Logan Gibson and James Parlow Jr. would push the lead up to 17. West Texas A&M would ultimately lead by 15+ points the rest of the way as their biggest lead would come at 25 points. The score would finalize at 59-37 in favor of the Buffs after a strong defensive performance. This was the fewest points WT has allowed in a game since they gave up 39 to Texas A&M Commerce on February 27, 2013
 
Top Buffs

• KJ Thomas made his Buff debut and produced a team-high 13 points on an efficient 5/8 shooting. He went 3/4 from three while adding four rebounds, an assist, and steal.
• Logan Gibson compiled seven points, six rebounds, and a block and steal. He also made all four of his free throws. This was Gibson's third game this season with a block and steal.
• Kemper Jones scored a season-high seven points while knocking in a pair of threes. He added a rebound and assist.

 
Balling Buffaloes
Following the D2CCA Midwest Tip-Off Classic on November 1, Logan Gibson, Joel Robinson, and James Parlow Jr. were all named to the All-Tournament Team while Gibson was named Tournament MVP.
 
Over the three games, Gibson averaged 11.7 points and 5.3 rebounds while shooting 75% from the field and floor. He added 1.7 stocks and 1.3 assists while coming away with the game-winning three against No. 17 Grand Valley State on Sunday in his double-double performance.
 
Robinson tallied 11 points and 5.3 rebounds on an efficient 54.5% from the field and 40% from three. Against Central Oklahoma on Saturday, Robinson had a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds.
 
Parlow Jr. shot 41.4% from the field as he scored 11 points per game. He also produced 2.0 rebounds, assists, and stocks over the three games. In the opening game against RV Lincoln Memorial, Parlow Jr. scored 17 points on 8/13 shooting.
 
Hammer Time
With a block against OPSU, Jailyn Sledge continues to climb the WT leaderboard in blocks and steals. Sledge now sits in a tie for 8th all-time in swats with 64. The Amarillo, Texas native is four blocks away from passing Andre Hill (2006-08), Antjuan Ball (2013-15), Goliath Yeggins (1980-84), Donald Sims (2011-13), and Patrick Culver (2005-06) for sole possession of fifth place. With steals, he is 15th with 99. He is three steals away from passing Ron King (1995-97) for 14th. Sledge is on pace to crack into the top five in both categories this season.
 
LSC Preseason Poll
The Buffaloes come into this season projected to finish seventh in the Lone Star Conference (LSC) Preseason Poll.
 
2026-27 Preseason Poll

1. DBU (841 points, 35 first place votes)
2. Eastern New Mexico (751 points, six first place votes)
3. Lubbock Christian (735 points, two first place votes)
4. St. Edward's (670 points, one first place vote)
5. Western New Mexico (657 points, four first place votes)
6. St. Mary's (615 points)
7. West Texas A&M (596 points, one first place vote)
8. Angelo State (499 points, one first place vote)
9. Texas A&M-Kingsville (439 points)
10. UT Tyler (399 points, one first place vote)
11. Oklahoma Christian (333 points)
12. UT Dallas (316 points)
13. UT Permian Basin (294 points)
14. Midwestern State (260 points)
15. Texas A&M International (200 points)
16. Cameron (125 points)
17. Sul Ross State (73 points)

 
The 2025-26 season saw West Texas A&M produce a 20-11 record with a 12-8 mark in the LSC as they finished seventh in the standings. WT reached the LSC Tournament where their season would end with an 84-73 loss to No. 11 Eastern New Mexico.
 
Head Coach Tom Brown enters his 13th with the Buffaloes ahead of the 2026-27 season. Brown has guided WT to the NCAA Tournament in nine of the past 10 seasons while making the LSC Tournament every season. He reached the 300-win milestone at West Texas A&M last season after defeating Cameron and became the fastest coach in program history to do so.
 
Junior guard Jailyn Sledge was named the Player to Watch for the Buffaloes. After making the LSC All-Freshman Team in 2025, Sledge produced another solid season in the Maroon & White last season. He averaged 7.8 points and team-highs of 5.9 rebounds and 2.5 stocks. The Amarillo, Texas product shot 47.5% from the field to go with two double-doubles.
 
Four other Buffs return from the 2025-26 squad including junior TJ Brown, senior James Parlow Jr., sophomore Zach Brown, and senior Kemper Jones. TJ made his knack on the defensive end as he appeared in 29 games. Parlow Jr. played in 26 games and averaged 10.0 points while shooting 50.3% from the field to go with 2.9 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.4 steals. Zach led the team in three-pointers made with 66 on a 40.0% clip. He scored 9.6 points per game as he would be named to the LSC All-Freshman Team. Jones appeared in 26 games as he averaged 7.2 points and 3.3 rebounds.
 
2026-27 will feature nine new players for West Texas A&M with three transfers and six freshman. For the transfers, local Amarillo product KJ Thomas returns home after spending the previous two seasons at Texas El Paso. Thomas made 24 starts this past year with the Miners and averaged 5.8 points, 3.0 assists, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.2 steals. The two other transfers are junior Max George and sophomore Ryder Cheesman who come from Baylor and Missouri State.
 
The six freshmen for the Buffs include Kaden Hooker, Sean Jimmy-Ducksworth, Joel Robinson, Ben Walton, Austin Prosser, and Logan Gibson.
 
Series History
Friday's game against Chadron State will be the third all-time meeting between the programs with WT holding a 2-0 lead. The teams played twice last year in Canyon where the Buffaloes won both matchups.
 
Balanced Attack Leads the Buffs Past Chadron State, 98-76- November 14, 2025
The game tipped off with the Buffs setting the pace through early scoring, highlighted by Fontaine Williams' jumper at 18:31. They built momentum with a 10–2 run, beginning with Kemper Jones' 3-pointer at 16:42, extending their lead to 14–4. Despite Chadron briefly closing in, the Buffs maintained control, with Zach Brown's 3-pointer at 2:51 pushing the lead to 40–35. The half concluded with the Buffs leading 45–37.
 
The Buffs extended their lead with a strong offensive display in the second half, highlighted by Williams' early 3-pointer at 19:19, pushing the score to 48-39. James Parlow Jr. played a crucial role, contributing with a dunk at 18:24 and a key jumper followed by a free throw at 13:59, widening the gap to 60-45. Chadron struggled to keep pace, and the Buffs capitalized on turnovers and efficient shooting, including Brown's three-pointer at 3:09. They finished the half with a 53-39 advantage, leading to a decisive 98-76 victory.
 
Williams led the team with 21 points, including four 3-pointers, and added two rebounds. Jailyn Sledge contributed 17 points and recorded two steals, finishing with a total of four rebounds. Brown tallied 15 points, converting three of five attempts from beyond the arc, and dished out three assists. Parlow added 13 points on 6-of-8 shooting from the field and collected two rebounds.
 
Buffs Start Fast in a 118-83 Regional Win Over Chadron State- November 15, 2025
WT started strong with Fontaine Williams hitting a 3-pointer just 16 seconds into the game, setting the tone for a dominant first half. The Buffs capitalized on their shooting opportunities, making 10 of 21 from beyond the arc, with Jailyn Sledge contributing significantly with multiple successful plays, including a layup and a 3-pointer assisted by Williams at 18:57. Zach Brown added to the momentum with a fast-break 3-pointer at 15:16, extending the lead.
 
The Buffs' defense was solid, forcing the Eagles into eight turnovers while allowing only 11 field goals. Brendan Ballard was active on both ends, contributing with defensive rebounds and a block. The half ended with the Buffs leading 61–36, showcasing efficient scoring and a strong defensive effort.
 
WT extended their lead significantly in the second half, fueled by a strong offensive performance. James Parlow Jr. contributed notably with a steal leading to a fast-break dunk and later assisting on a 3-pointer by Williams at 18:57. Kemper Jones added to the momentum with a three-pointer at 17:51, further solidifying their control.
 
The Buffs maintained their advantage through consistent scoring, including a notable 3-pointer from Brown at 06:20, and a series of free throws from Dyson Riley extending the lead to 101–69. The game ended with a decisive 118–83 victory for the Buffs over Chadron State.
 
Williams led the team with 21 points, converting four 3-pointers and adding five assists in a strong performance. Camden Cowgill contributed 20 points, including three 3-pointers, and was perfect from the free-throw line with five made shots. Parlow Jr. recorded a double-double, collecting 11 rebounds and 10 points, while also tallying two steals. Brown added 12 points, all from beyond the arc, hitting four 3-pointers in the game.
 
Saturday's game against Oklahoma Baptist will be the 10th all-time meeting between WT and OBU. West Texas A&M leads the series 8-1 and have won eight straight games over the Bison. The teams last played in 2023 where WT won 80-62.
 
Scouting Chadron State
The Chadron State College Eagles come into this game holding a 0-1 record having lost their season opener against Northern State (79-76). The Eagles are coming off a 2025-26 season where they went 7-21 with a 5-15 mark in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC). They did not reach the RMAC Tournament. CSC came into this season projected to finish 14th in the RMAC Preseason Poll.
 
In their first game, Zyon Little and Vincent Tedeschi both scored 19 points on 70% and 46.2% shooting respectively. Kelton Williams also scored in double figures with 10 points on 2/4 shooting.
 
Head Coach Chris Francis enters his third season with the Eagles in 2026-27.
 
Scouting Oklahoma Baptist
The Oklahoma Baptist University Bison hold a 1-1 record and are ranked No. 12 in the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Poll. To open their season, they lost 69-67 to No. 8 Cal State East Bay, who made the Elite Eight, and beat No. 7 Lander (59-56) who was last year's National Runner-Up. 2025-26 saw the Bison go 31-4 as they won the Great American Conference (GAC) Regular Season title. They would ultimately make the NCAA Tournament where they won the Central Region after beating Minnesota Duluth 80-76 and would make the Final Four after a 78-55 win over Cal State East Bay. OBU's season would end after losing to the eventual National Champions in Gannon by score of 98-80. Coming into this season, Oklahoma Baptist was projected to finish second in the GAC Preseason Poll.
 
Through their two games, Austin Coner leads the Bison in scoring with 17.0 points per game on 50% shooting from the field and 57.1% from three. He also leads the team in assists with 4.5 and is tied for the lead in steals with 2.0. Seth Grandberry and Erik Madrid both near double figure scoring with 9.0 and 8.5 points respectively. They also grab 3.5 and 4.5 rebounds.
 
Head Coach Jason Eaker enters his ninth season with OBU in 2026-27. Eaker has guided the Bison to a 149-86 record during his tenure with three NCAA Tournament appearances.
 
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