CANYON – The Angelo State women's basketball team had an excellent first half but couldn't sustain the momentum falling to No. 11 West Texas A&M  in Canyon 80-49 at First United Bank Center on Wednesday night.

The Belles (5-9, 0-4 LSC) struggled shooting from the field only making 29.2-percent (14 for 48) on the night but were able to hit 38.9-percent (7 for 18) from the 3-point line. The Lady Buffs (11-2, 2-1 LSC) dominated in the paint out scoring ASU 28-6 while also making 43.4-percent from the field.

The Belles were led by Jasmine Caston's 11 points. Diamalises Rivera added eight points while Kietta Saunders scored a career-high seven points.  

WT built a 15-5 lead through the first seven minutes of the first half before the Belles found a rhythm. Caston hit a 3-pointer to spark an 11-4 run capped off by a 3-pointer by Amanda Weaver that cut WT's lead to 19-16 with 9:05 to go in the first half. Caston scored six of the 11 points and Shauna Coleman added a layup.

WT's Danielle Logan drained a 3-pointer but Michelle Rosewell answered to keep it a three point deficit at 22-19. Over the next six minute the two teams traded baskets. Weaver hit her second 3-pointer while Rivera and Coleman each added layups. Caston's second 3-pointer cut the Lady Buffs lead to 31-29 with 1:29 to go in the half. WT ended with a 6-1 run to end the half and take a 37-30 advantage into the locker room.

The Belles were unable to find the same spark in the second half. WT came out and started the half on a 12-4 run until Saunders sunk three free throws at the 14:59 mark of the second half. WT continued its hot start out scoring ASU 20-6 over the next 9:20 of the half. Leila Jdily-Ezzad hit a 3-pointer to stop the run and ASU scored nine of the final 15 points. The Belles only shot 25-percent in the second half from the field while the Lady Buffs made 46.7-percent from the field.

Chontiquah White led the Lady Buffs with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Sasha Watson and Danielle Logan each scored in double-digit points with 11 and 10, respectively.
The Belles will return to the Junell Center this Saturday, Jan. 17 to host Eastern New Mexico at 4 p.m.