Feb. 15, 2008

CANYON, Texas - Following a season-long five game road trip, which saw them put together a 4-1 record at some the Lone Star Conference's toughest venues, the West Texas A&M men's basketball team returns to the First United Bank Center this Saturday evening for the first time in nearly a month. The Buffs, who are tied atop the LSC's South Division with a 7-1 mark in league play, will host the Greyhounds of Eastern New Mexico in an 8 p.m. contest.

During the road stretch, senior guard Robert Lee has separated himself as one of the elite players in the LSC, averaging 23.6 points per game during the five-game span, including a spectacular 30-point performance against Midwestern State on Wednesday night. Lee was monumental in the Buffs' win in Wichita Falls, posting 15 points in the opening half, but saving much of heroics for overtime, when he scored eight of the Buffs' 16 points.

Senior Tyler Cooper has also been a force for WT, leading the team in rebounding four of the last seven contests, while pacing the team with a clip of 7.6 boards per game in conference play. Also on the low block, the Buffs have gotten exception performances from seniors Andre Hill and Chris Hinz, who are each averaging double-figures scoring and nearly five rebounds during the last five games.

At the point guard spot, junior Kyle Shields has been steady, dishing out a team-high 17 assists and averaging 10.6 points per contest during the road trip.

The Greyhounds come to Canyon trying to snap a seven-game losing streak, but records can be thrown out the window with the two rival teams get together. ENMU (6-17; 0-8 LSC-South) trails the all-time series with WT by the tally of 55-12, including a 63-52 loss to the Buffs in Portales, N.M., back on Jan. 19. Redman-Trotter has been the `Hounds leader this season, averaging 17.4 points and 5.5 rebounds per contest.