WICHITA FALLS, Texas – The Midwestern State University Mustangs picked up their fourth straight victory with a rugged 68-61 win over the University of Central Oklahoma Bronchos Saturday night at Gerald Stockton Court in D.L. Ligon Coliseum.

Midwestern (11-5) closed Lone Star Conference divisional crossover play at 6-1 with the win over UCO (7-8) and gave MSU its 10th consecutive victory in the Dome dating back to last season.  Eight of the wins are this year.

MSU trailed by as many as 10 in the first half before cutting the Central Oklahoma lead to five at 32-27 at the half.

MSU and UCO played tough, physical defense throughout the contest, but especially in the second half.

MSU allowed UCO to score a free throw before finally getting on the board in the second frame with a layup by Chad Rickett with 18:22 to play.  But it started an 8-0 run over the next two minutes that gave MSU the lead.

The teams swapped advantages and tied the game four more times until the 6:38 mark in the contest.  That's when junior Eric Dawson was fouled and he converted both of his free throws to put MSU up 51-49.

The Mustangs forced a turnover and Rickett buried a three to extend the MSU lead to five, then Eddie Rowe picked UCO guard Jason Greene's pocket and raced for the layup to grab a seven-point advantage.

After Dawson fouled out, UCO got within three on a Joe Kennerly bucket with 3:30 to play.  But MSU was steady down the stretch, hitting all 10 free throws in the final 2:53 to secure the Mustangs 21st home court victory in their last 23 games.

Rickett led MSU with 20 points off the bench to go with five rebounds, three assists and a blocked shot.  Rickett nailed 11-of-12 from the foul line to lead the way as MSU went 24-of-28 from the charity stripe.

Chris Francois added 13 points, while Dawson collected 12 points with six boards, a block and four steals before fouling out.  Allen Houston also scored 10 points off the bench.

Anthony Brown collected 21 points with eight rebounds to lead UCO, and Kennerly scored 14 points with two blocks as the only Bronchos in double figures.

MSU continues it's longest homestand of the season on Tuesday night when LSC South leader Tarleton State visits Ligon Coliseum.  Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. at Stockton Court.