CANYON, Texas – The Angelo State men's basketball team pulled off the upset on the road on Thursday night, defeating eighth-ranked West Texas A&M 82-79 at the First United Bank Center.
 
With the win, the Rams snap a 12-game losing streak against the Buffs, winning in Canyon for the first time since the 2014-15 campaign, as they improve to 12-4 overall and 2-2 in Lone Star Conference play.
 
Thursday's win is the first against a top-10 opponent since defeating UT Permian Basin who held the sixth-overall ranking during the 2017-18 season.
 
Tyrell Carroll led five Ram players in double figures, finishing with 17 points on the night while shooting 6-of-11 from the field.
 
Action went back and forth to start the game with both teams working 8-0 runs to remain tied at 23-23 midway through the first half of play. Kelyn Pennie hit a late three followed by a free throw from Dante Moses to give the Rams the edge heading into halftime up 43-41.
 
The Rams outshot WT, earning a field goal percentage of 45 percent on the night while holding the Buffs to 39 percent. ASU hit 11 three-pointers in the game and made 17 free throws while collecting 13 points off turnovers by WT.
 
Carroll opened the second half with a three-pointer before ASU built its largest lead of the night, up 64-52, using a 10-0 stretch capped off by buckets from Pennie and Salisu Yahaya.
 
Paul Williams finished 5-of-11 from the field including 4-of-8 from three-point range to total 16 points while Devaughn Thomas added 14 points and a team-high nine rebounds.
 
The Buffs fought back to cut the lead to single digits midway through the half but could never regain the lead.
 
Pennie had one of his best shooting nights, going 4-of-7 from beyond the arc to total 14 points while Moses added 11 points of his own with five boards and four assists.
 
With 16 seconds left to play, WT tied the game at 79-79 before a free throw by Fredelin De La Cruz gave the lead back to ASU. As the Buffs looked for the game-winning shot, Williams forced a turnover before knocking down two free throws to seal the victory.
 
ASU continues LSC play on the road as the Rams travel to Lawton, Okla., to face Cameron on Saturday, Jan. 22 with tip-off set for 4 p.m.