Slow second half dooms WT on the road

The #22 ranked WTAMU women’s basketball team was on the road Dec. 29 in Russellville, Ark., taking on a tough #5 ranked Arkansas Tech quad. 

Despite a strong opening in the first half, the Golden Suns showed why they have won 29 straight games at home as they put away the Lady Buffs 75-63.  This is the first time WT has lost consecutive games since February of 2009. 

Early on the Lady Buffs gave ATU something to think about as they held a 15-6 lead at the 12:12 mark of the first half.   Things changed though when the Golden Suns got within four points at 23-19 with 7:06 left in the first. 

ATU took control with a 7-0 run that gave them a 26-23 lead at the 4:52 mark.  Going into the locker room for halftime, the Lady Buffs were staring at a 37-31 deficit. 

At the start of the second half, it looked as though a comeback was on the cards for the Lady Buffs as they cut the lead to four points at 39-35 with 17:33 left in regulation.  However, ATU came back with a 15-0 run that seemingly put the game out of reach for WT.  With 11:58 remaining the Lady Buffs were down 54-35. 

WT kept battling the rest of the way, but the deficit proved to be too much to overcome as they would eventually fall to the Golden Suns 75-63. 

Leading the scoring on the night for the Lady Buffs was senior Megan McLain with 17 points and freshman Ariel Robertson with 15 points.  Juniors Ashley Leven and Jamie Simmons chipped in 11 and 10 points respectively. 

WT’s overall record now stands at 6-4 on the season.  The Lady Buffs will now prepare to face #1 ranked Delta State on Dec. 31.  Tip-off from the Walter Sillers Coliseum is scheduled for 1 p.m. in Cleveland, Miss.