By NICK EATMAN
 
FRISCO, Texas – Although the Buffs needed an epic rally in the final minute of play and a go-ahead jumper with just six seconds to play, the final result was once again the same – West Texas A&M cut the nets down in Frisco.
 
For the sixth straight year, the Buffs are the Lone Star Conference Champions, winning a dramatic back-and-forth contest over Angelo State, 64-63.
 
Zach Touissaint hit a running jumper with six seconds to play that gave the Buffaloes the lead and eventually the win.
 
West Texas A&M was in control for most of the game, leading by 17 in the first half and had a double-digit lead for most of the second. But a 14-0 run by the Rams, sparked mostly by reserve guard Reggie Quezada, propelled ASU into the lead.
 
Down the stretch, the Rams led by 5 until Touissaint drained a 3-pointer with 1:18 to play to cut the lead to two. After two free throws by ASU’s Devaughn Thomas with 28 seconds to play, WT’s Larry Wise drew a foul shooting a 3-pointer with six seconds left. Wise made all three shots and on the following inbounds play, ASU turned the ball over out of bounds. That set up Touissaint’s game-winning shot that proved to be the game-winner.
 
The LSC’s Sixth Man of the Year, Touissaint was named MVP of the tournament, becoming the second player in conference history to make the all-tournament team three straight years.
 
He was joined on the team by Julius Brown, who had 11 points and Damion Thornton, who had 10 points and 13 rebounds.
 
For ASU, Quezada’s hot second half that helped him finish with 18 points, landed him a spot on the all-tournament team along with teammate Will Guy, who had 16 points and helped rally the Rams back into the game.
 
The Buffs have now won 12 LSC Championship tournament titles, including the last six. They are the only team to cut down the nets on the men’s side here in Frisco, which started hosting the tournament in 2018.
 
The Rams were seeking their fifth LSC title but first since 1989.
 
The two teams are both headed to next week’s regional tournament. The Buffs entered the weekend as the No. 2 team in the South Central Region, while the Rams were No. 4.
 
The NCAA will announce the regional sites and participants Sunday night.
 
Here is the look at the 2023 LSC Championships All-Tournament Team:
Zach Touissaint, West Texas A&M (MVP)
Julius Brown, West Texas A&M
Damion Thornton, West Texas A&M
Willie Guy, Angelo State
Reggie Quezada, Angelo State

LSC Basketball Championship Central