WICHITA FALLS, Texas – The Midwestern State University women started the season on a winning note as MSU held on for a 69-64 win over St. Mary's University on the first day of the MSU Classic at Gerald Stockton Court in D.L. Ligon Coliseum.

MSU (1-0) never trailed after a Katie Robertson three-pointer with 15:57 in the first half to take an 8-6 lead.  MSU expanded the lead to a dozen with 17:40 to play in the game.

However, St. Mary's (0-1) wasn't about to give up.  The Rattlers posted a 12-6 run in a three-minute span to cut the MSU lead to just two at 66-64 with 57 seconds to play on a layup by Charlean Rodez.

But MSU got a pair of free throws from Katherine Maples and one-of-two from Stacey Staten down the stretch to pull out the 69-64 win.

Angie Faurot led MSU with 14 points.  Sara Stahmer added 10 points with eight rebounds, while Maples had 10 points as did Tia Banks.

St. Mary's got 22 points and eight rebounds from Rodez as the only Rattler in double-figures.

In earlier classic play, Texas Woman's defeated East Central 72-61.

The classic continues on Saturday with TWU meeting St. Mary's at 5 p.m. and MSU hosting ECU at 7 p.m.