Buffs Drop Close Game to UT Permian Basin

Courtesy of Emma M.

ODESSA, Texas – The West Texas A&M men's basketball team battled to the end with the UT Permian Basin Falcons, but late shots pushed UTPB past the Buffs, 78-71. The Buffs fall to 10-5 on the season and 5-4 in Lone Star Conference play while the Falcons improve to 12-3 overall and 8-1 in league play.
 
The Leaders
Four Buffs reached double-digit scoring on Saturday afternoon led by a game-high 33 from Ahamed Mohammed. Noah Pagotto (13), Jailyn Sledge (10) and Amir McMillian (10) also ended their day in double figures.  Sledge recorded a double-double, hauling in 13 rebounds.
 
How It Happened
UTPB scored the game's first four points before WT started to string possessions together. Ahead of the under-16 minute media timeout, a quick pull up from Mohammed tied the game at eight. Following the timeout, the Buffs would take a momentary lead after an acrobatic and-one from Amir McMillian before back-to-back three pointers from Maison Adeleye put the Falcons on top. UTPB would extend its lead to eight with 8:06 left to play in the opening half as WT started to cool off from the floor. After the Falcons stretched their lead to 11, a 10-4 run from the Buffs brought the lead back down to five ahead of the under-four media timeout. With under a minute to play, a Mohammed jumper tied the game before UTPB answered back to take the lead. Mohammed wouldn't be denied as the junior drove to the basket, converting the layup as time expired.
 
Similar to the first half, UTPB netted the half's first five points before WT responded. After the Buffs brought the game within one, an 11-2 run from the Falcons restored a 10-point lead. As the game approached the midway point of the second half, a 10-2 run including a Mohammed three tied up the game and forced a timeout from UTPB. The Falcons quickly resumed control of the lead, building a six-point difference. Before the final media timeout of the game, Pagotto drew a shooting foul to send the sophomore to the line with the Buffs trailing 66-61. With 1:52 to play, Mohammed knocked down a jumper to reach the 30-point mark and bring the game back within one only to be answered by a UTPB three on the other end of the court. In the final minute, the Buffs couldn't convert on shots as the Falcons closed out the game with free throws.
 
WT returns to the friendly confines of the First United Bank Center on Thursday, Jan. 16 when the Buffs host Western New Mexico. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
 
Inside the Box Score

• The Buffs lead the all-time series with UT Permian Basin, 21-3.
• Head coach Tom Brown moves to 16-3 against the Falcons.
• WT shot 32.9% (24-of-73) from the field, 19.0% (4-of-21) from deep, 82.6% (19-of-23) from the charity stripe with 41 rebounds, three assists, six steals, two blocks, and seven turnovers.
• UT Permian Basin shot 45.8% (27-of-59) from the floor, 31.6% (6-of-19) from the 3-point range, 78.3% (18-of-23) at the free throw line with 43 rebounds, 18 assists, two steals, 14 blocks, and 14 turnovers.

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