The West Texas A&M Lady Buffs are clicking at the right time. Since turning the page onto the second half of the Lone Star Conference schedule, the Lady Buffs are red hot with five straight wins.

WT wants to make it six straight when they close out a three-game homestand with Midwestern State at 2 p.m. today at the First United Bank Center.

WT head coach Kristen Mattio has said all season its about doing the little things correctly. Since back-to-back losses against Tarleton State and Texas A&M-Commerce on Jan. 19 and 21 , Mattios Lady Buffs seem to finally be getting the message.

WT has limited its miques, averaging 12 turnovers a game over the last five games, while holding opponents to 36 percent shooting on the season.

WT has proving why theyre second in the nation in shooting 49.4 percent. During the current five-game win streak, WT is shooting 54 percent from the perimeter.

We have really focused on being stronger with the ball and doing a better job of executing under pressure, Mattio said. We have players stepping up every night and are making an impact in the game. That along with defending in the half court is allowing us to create separation in games. I do believe that when we keep the game simple and just play within our structure great things will happen for us on the court.

In Thursdays home win WT (18-6 overall) showed laser focus. The Lady Buffs shot 66 percent in the first quarter, and 62.3 percent for the game. The Lady Buffs were able to spread the ball around with five players scoring in double digits led by Sasha Watsons 16 points with nine assists. Guard Alie Decker was lights out from downtown, going 5-of-7 for 15 points of her own.

At 11-4 overall, WT trails conference leading Eastern New Mexico (18-5, 14-2) by two games. In order for Mattios team to clinch a fourth straight regular season league title, they cant afford any slip ups.

With that said, WT must keep that fierce intensity and edge against an MSU team that on paper doesnt look intimidating at 7-14 overall and 4-11 in the LSC. However, Nazareth graduate and ninth year MSU head coach Noel Johnson has her team playing well. The Lady Mustangs have won two of their last three games, including a 86-65 victory at UT Permian Basin on Thursday.

Midwestern is playing its best basketball of the year, Mattio said. They are playing with focus, determination and a heightened sense of urgency. They are executing better from the offensive end. Noel always does a great job of preparation and getting her kids ready for the battle. This will be a very important conference game for us.

Lady Buff stuff: With 11 points in a win against Cameron on Thursday, WT center Maddison Wild has now reached double-digits in six straight games. During that stretch, Wild had a career-high 23 points a week ago against Texas Womans. Point guard Sasha Watson not only leads the Lady Buffs averaging 14 points a game, but shes closing in on another milestone. Watson has 205 career steals, and needs five to surpass Canyon graduate Casey Land (2010-2014) for ninth all-time. Watson is fourth in school history with 433 assists.

Todays probable starters

Midwestern State Lady Mustangs

Overall Record: 7-14

LSC Record: 4-11

Head coach: Noel Johnson (9th Year)

Player Pos.Ht.Yr.RPGPPG

Whitney TaylorG5-11Jr.4.313.6

Kristin RydellG.5-7Jr.2.79.0

Avery QueenP.6-2Jr.3.37.1

Jennifer ArbuckleP.6-1Sr.4.36.1

Leanna JamesG.5-7Fr.2.93.1

West Texas A&M Lady Buffs

Overall Record: 18-6

LSC Record: 11-4

Head coach: Kristen Mattio (2nd year)

Player Pos. Ht. Yr. RPG PPG

Sasha WatsonG.5-7Sr.3.514.0

Maddison WildF.6-2Sr.6.010.7

Alie DeckerG.5-11Sr.3.210.3

Lexy HightowerG.5-8Fr.2.29.4

Lilley Vander ZeeC.6-4Sr.4.86.4

LSC standings

TeamLSCOverall

Eastern New Mexico14-218-5

Angelo State12-318-3

West Texas A&M11-418-6

Texas A&M-Commerce11-417-6

Tarleton State10-511-10

Texas Womans7-814-9

Cameron6-98-13

Texas A&M-Kingsville5-1010-11

Midwestern State4-117-14

UT Permian Basin3-127-15

Western New Mexico0-154-18

Tuesdays results

Eastern New Mexico 76, Western New Mexico 71

Thursdays results

West Texas A&M 86, Cameron 69

Midwestern State 86, UT Permian Basin 65

Tarleton State 67, Texas A&M-Kingsville 53

Texas A&M-Commerce 83, Angelo State 80

Eastern New Mexico 84, Texas Womans 81

Saturdays games

Midwestern State at West Texas A&M, 2 p.m.

Cameron at UT Permian Basin, 2 p.m.

Angelo State at Tarleton State, 2 p.m.

Texas A&M-Kingsville at Texas A&M-Commerce, 2 p.m.

Link:
Lady Buffs' chemistry is clicking on all cylinders during win streak ... - Amarillo.com