KGNC Sports For Monday, February 2nd
WT athletics had quite the weekend as we are now one month into 2026.
Starting on the hardwood, the Buffs and Lady Buffs suffered close losses on Saturday against Dallas Baptist, and Texas Women’s University respectively.
For the men, despite having five guys in double figures including LSC leading scorer Fontaine Williams (19 points), former Tascosa Rebel Jailyn Sledge (11 points and 10 rebounds), the #24 Patriots sealed the game at the free throw line to win 86-84.
As for the women, the #6 Lady Buffs had another crazy finish, this time against the #3 Texas Woman’s Pioneers. Senior Kyla Kane led the way for WT with 22 points, followed by 12 points and 5 rebounds from sophomore Taytum Bell, and a double double from grad student Karley Motschenbacher (10 points and 11 rebounds).
For the Pioneers however, Averee Kleinhans had the hot hand from start to finish with an amazing 38 points and 7 rebounds, to outlast the Lady Buffs with a final score of 78-74 in overtime. The loss on Saturday is just the second for the Lady Buffs this year, but the first loss suffered at the First United Bank Center this year. Their first loss came all the way back in November at the D2 Tipoff Classic against #1 Grand Valley State. Both WT teams will be back in action this Thursday at Cameron University.
Finally, as basketball gets ready for their last few games of the regular season, we move to the diamond, as baseball and softball season is officially here.
WT baseball started their 2026 campaign at home against St. Edwards in a tough three game series loss for the Buffs. After a strong 13-7 win on Friday, the Hilltoppers proceeded to win the next two games 10-9 and 17-13. The finale was best described as a gutsy comeback effort for St. Edwards after being down 12-1 through five innings. The Buffs will be back in action this Friday in Richardson, Tx against UT Dallas.
On the women’s side of things, the #8 Lady Buffs have been as dominant as they’ve ever been to start the year. After being picked second to win the LSC in the preseason, the Lady Buffs took it as motivation and proceeded to start the year with six straight wins—five of those six finishing in the fifth inning due to the run rule against NM Highlands (8-0), Adams State twice (11-0, 17-0), as well as Southwestern Ok State twice (15-1, 8-0). The Lady Buffs will travel to Tennessee next, and participate in the Chattanooga Invitational starting this Friday against West Florida.