CANYON, Texas – The #6 Lady Buffs held off a second half comeback by the UT Tyler Patriots on Saturday night as West Texas A&M advanced to their 24^th Lone Star Conference Tournament Title Game with a 67-61 victory in the semifinal round at the Comerica Center in Frisco, Texas.
 
WT started strong in the first quarter with Karley Motschenbacher hitting an early three-pointer, setting a pace that allowed the team to keep the score close. Despite trailing in the paint, the Lady Buffs matched UT Tyler in three-point shooting, with Randi Harding contributing significantly from beyond the arc. The quarter saw several lead changes, reflecting the back-and-forth nature of the play.
 
As the quarter progressed, UT Tyler managed a slight edge, aided by Leila Davis's layup with just two seconds left, which gave them a narrow lead. The Lady Buffs ended the first quarter trailing 20–17, maintaining a competitive stance entering the second quarter.
 
WT started the second quarter by capitalizing on turnovers, as Kenadee Winfrey's consecutive free throws helped shift the lead. The home team maintained pressure with a key three-pointer by Kyla Kane, assisted by Winfrey, extending their advantage. Despite UT Tyler's attempts to close the gap, the Lady Buffs responded with defensive rebounds and a crucial three-pointer from Motschenbacher.
 
The Lady Buffs continued to apply pressure as Henley West's tip-in further widened the margin. Their defense held strong, limiting the visitors to minimal scoring opportunities. The quarter concluded with the Lady Buffs leading 37-30, after outscoring UT Tyler 20-10 in the second quarter.
 
WT began the third quarter with a layup by Taylor Haggan, assisted by Kane, maintaining its lead at 39–30. However, UT Tyler responded with a series of scores, including a fast-break layup by Polina Latysheva, narrowing the gap.
 
Despite turnovers, the Lady Buffs kept the game close with a critical three-pointer from Kane, assisted by Taytum Bell, bringing the score to 45–44. In the closing seconds, Claire Graham secured a defensive rebound, leading to a fast-break layup by Bell, which gave the Lady Buffs a narrow 46–45 lead at the end of the quarter.
 
WT began the fourth quarter by trading leads with UT Tyler, highlighted by Haggan's defensive rebound and two free throws that secured a narrow advantage. The team maintained its momentum through strong rebounding efforts, with Haggan again contributing offensively by converting an offensive rebound into a three-point play, pushing the score to 53-48.
 
In the final minutes, the Lady Buffs capitalized on UT Tyler's fouls, with Kane and Graham sinking crucial free throws. Despite UT Tyler's late scoring efforts, including a three-pointer by Hayley Cumming, the Lady Buffs held firm. The quarter concluded with a defensive rebound by Graham and two additional free throws from Kane, sealing a 67-61 victory.
 
Kyla Kane scored 16 points, converting 8 of 10 free throws and grabbing six rebounds. Taylor Haggan led the scoring with 17 points, making six baskets and collecting seven rebounds. Claire Graham contributed with 10 rebounds, including a perfect 10 on the defensive glass. Kenadee Winfrey added two steals and scored two points.
 
The Lady Buffs will battle top-seeded and #1 ranked Texas Woman's for the LSC Championship on Sunday afternoon with tipoff set for 3:30 p.m. in Frisco.