The WTAMU Buffs beat the ENMU Greyhounds 96 to 86 this past weekend on Feb. 28. It marked the Buffs first win after a two game skid, and was highlighted by a high octane offense from the Buffs that had four players score in the double digits. It would also be three senior’s last game at the First United Bank Center as the day was senior day and the last home game of the season.
The Buffs were fueled by an exceptional shooting performance, shooting 54.4 percent overall for the game, and 42.9 percent from three point land. There would be four very early lead changes, with the Greyhounds largest lead being only a point. After the fourth lead change, the Buffs wouldn’t look back, holding the lead for the rest of the game and not even letting the game get tied.
Even though it was senior day, Head Coach Tom Brown said the team came out with good energy and played well.
“Yeah, very emotional day for our three seniors and our coaching staff in our last home in this first season,” Coach Brown said. “Those guys were a little choked up to begin the game, but they came out with good energy and, you know, really shot the ball really well and made some big defensive plays for us, and we’re really gonna miss those guys.”
One senior in particular, Tez Dumars, passed a major milestone for the Buffs, moving into fifth in career scoring, and within striking distance of passing basketball legend Maurice Cheeks on the all-time scoring list.
“Wow, man, it’s just a blessing man. I’m just thankful man,” Tez Dumars said. “The people here have been nothing but great to me. I’ve been blessed.”
One problem in particular for the Buffs was their free throw shooting. The Buffs had spurts where they would miss several consecutive free throws, and then would make some. Their percentage from the free throw line at one point in the game got as low as 41.7 percent before hitting a string of free throws to finish at 52.1 percent. Coach Brown said that though the team went only 25 for 48 at the free throw line, they at least got to the free throw line.
“I tell you what though, we got to the free throw line, and that’s big,” Coach Brown said. “You know, free throw shooting, if you miss it, you miss it. Nobody’s trying to miss free throws, but getting those free throws is big.”
The Buffs now head to Allen, Texas on March 4-7 for the LSC Tournament where they will be the fifth seed after originally being projected as the eighth seed at the beginning of the season. Dumars said their main focus is to win three in a row.
“Our mindset is just to go win three in a row,” Dumars said.
Senior Antjuan Ball believes that the Buffs can play with every team in the conference.
“We can play with every team in the conference. We just have to learn how to finish games and stay strong throughout the entire game,” Ball said. “We have a strategy for everything. We’ll be good.”
