If there is one thing that any team knew coming into this season, it was that when they played the #24 WTAMU men’s basketball team they were going to be in for a tough game. This trend continued on Mar. 5 when the Buffs took on #7 ranked Central Oklahoma in the semi-finals of the Lone Star Conference tournament in Bartlesville, Oklahoma.
WT fought back from a 14 point first half deficit to send the game into overtime. Unfortunately for the Buffs, the upset wasn’t in the cards as they fell just short losing 66-63 in double overtime.
The first half was all about runs for both teams. WT opened the contest with a 7-0 run at the 18:11 mark of the half. UCO then responded with a 16-1 run which saw them claim a 16-8 lead with 10:50 left before halftime. It looked as though the Bronchos were going to pull away from the Buffs as their lead grew to as many as 14 points in the first half. But, thanks to some clutch shooting the Buffs were able to chip away at the lead and go into the locker room for halftime only down by eight points at 28-20.Buff nation started to believe a comeback was in the cards when the second half got under way. WT closed the gap to seven points at 30-23 with 19:19 left in regulation. However, UCO seemed like they had all the answers and weren’t letting the Buffs get any closer. It took some time but the Buffs got within one point with just over 10 minutes left in the second half. From that point on it was a struggle for the Buffs to get over the hump to tie the game or take the lead. Their patience was rewarded however, just in the nick of time. Senior Jacquiese Holcomb’s layup with eight seconds left on the clock tied the game at 54-54 to send it into overtime.
In the extra session UCO took the early initiative and held a 60-56 lead with 2:30 left. WT fought back and got within one at 60-59 with 59 seconds left. UCO managed to make one free throw with nine seconds left before senior Joe Mincey drove the length of the floor and drained a jump shot to tie the game at 61-61 and send it into a double overtime.
Cold shooting was the story of the second overtime. The Buffs kept getting good looks; the problem was that they weren’t falling. WT pulled to within three points at 66-63 with 34 seconds remaining. However, two late looks from three point range went begging and WT saw its LSC tournament run come to an end in double overtime by the score of 66-63.
Leading the scoring on the night for the Buffs was senior Jacquiese Holcomb with 19 points and 10 rebounds. Junior Lionel Foster also recorded a double- double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Senior LaDarius Hall also scored 10 points on the night.
WT’s overall record now stands at 23-6. The Buffs will now await word from the NCAA to see what seed they are in next week’s South Central Regional tournament. It is expected they will be traveling to Joplin, Missouri. The official announcement will be made on Mar. 6 at 9 p.m.
