SAN ANGELO – In an effort to bounce back from their loss last weekend to DBU, the Belles defended home field valiantly against rivals West Texas A&M, prevailing 2-1 over the 19^th-ranked team in the country.

The Belles took a season-low seven shots for the game, with only four coming on goal; however, they converted a pair of chances in the first half to grab all three points.

"I think we brought a lot of good energy, we defended hard, and we switched formations which allowed us to create more chances," said head coach Travis McCorkle.

The Lady Buffs out-shot the Belles 5-1 in the match's opening 30 minutes; however, the Belles got on the scoresheet first with Avery McNeme assisting Valerie Solis for her third goal of the season and second in as many games. McNeme now has a conference-best eight assists on the season.

The Belles would double their lead in the 40^th minute indirectly off a corner kick, with Neleh Coleman finding Breanne Bittick in the box, who tapped in her third goal of the season.

The Lady Buffs would half the deficit with only seven seconds remaining in the half with a long-range effort from Emily Avila.

The Lady Buffs' best chance to equalize came in the 89^th minute, when an Avila free kick from close range challenged Belles goalkeeper Kira Miller to the upper left corner of the goal; however, the senior made her third and most important save of the night to preserve the Belles' victory.

The Belles improve to 9-2-1 overall on the season and 4-2-1 in conference play; they currently sit fourth in the LSC standings. They return to action on Saturday when they face Texas A&M-Commerce.