Buffaloes Gain 79-77 Win Over Wildcats

CANYON, Feb. 20. — After trailing for almost three quarters West Texas States Buffs scrapped their way to a narrow 79-77 Border Conference basketball victory over the classy Arizona Wildcats here Saturday night.

West Texas trailed 20-10 at the end of Ihe first quarter and 38-30 at halftime. The Buffs led 62-59 after a wild three quarter. Then they edged the visitors by two points.

Coach Gus Miler's hoopsters trailed the entire first half and most of the third session. And they had to come from behind in the last minute and fifty six seconds to grab the triumph.

It looked real dark for the home team when Troy Burrus fouled out with five minutes and two seconds remaining. The West Texas All-America candidate was playing his last home game.

The score was tied at 68-68. Hadie Redd, Arizona's great negro sophomore who is the team's leading scorer, made both of the foul shots to give Arizona a 70-68 edge.

James Scott led the winners with 21 points. Burrus scored 18 to up his season's total to 335 which easily enabled the All-American candidate to pace the Border Conference.

The victory moved West Texas within one game of first place Texas Tech. The Red Raiders have a 9-1 mark and the Buffs have 8-2.

Both teams have two more games. West Texas goes to Abilene next Saturday night and to Tech March 2. Tech will host Arizona Monday night.