CANYON, Texas Matthew Ragsdale dropped in a team-high 17 points Sunday afternoon, but Western Colorado University was unable to hold off host West Texas A&M University's second-half rally as the Buffs took an 86-71 non-conference decision at the First United Bank Center.
JUST THE FACTS
Final score: West Texas A&M def. Western Colorado, 86-71
Records: Western Colorado 0-2, West Texas A&M 5-0
Location: First United Bank Center; Canyon, Texas
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Western rallied back from a 24-21 deficit a little past the midway point of the first half, forging a lead of as many as five points before heading into recess with a 38-37 halftime advantage.
- The rally was kickstarted by a Jonathan McCloud 3-pointer at the 7:07 mark, and then he struck again from long range on Western's next possession to push the Mountaineers ahead, 27-24.
- Ragsdale scored five points during the rally and Jordan Veening added a short jumper from in close that helped Western hold onto its advantage heading into the break.
- The tide turned in second-half action with A&M's prowess in the paint. The Buffs scored 28 points from close range (Western tallied 8), finishing the game with 52 of its 86 points coming from the in close.
- The Mountaineers shot 40 percent (10-of-25) from the floor over the final 20 minutes, but A&M hit 18-of-32 for a 56.25% effort to reverse its narrow deficit and pull away in the second half.
HARDWOOD NOTES
- Ragsdale was joined in double figures by teammate Avery Rembao who chimed in with 10 points.
- Elijah Davidson ripped down a game-best 11 rebounds, nine on the defensive end of the floor.
- Western had a very solid afternoon from long range (14-of-26 for 53.8%), with Ragsdale hitting 4 of 9, Jonathan McCloud dropping in 3 of 5 and Jaelan McCloud going 2-for-2.
- The Buffs went to the free-throw line twice as often as the Mountaineers. A&M was 18-for-22 from the charity stripe while Western finished 9-of-11.
UP NEXT
Western will host the Comfort Inn Classic on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 19-20. The Mountaineers will play University of the Southwest (N.M.) on Friday and Washington Adventist University on Saturday.
